Head coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Gbenga Ogunbote, has hailed his players for the spirited performance in his side’s 2-1 win over Kano Pillars on Monday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Oluyole Warriors travelled to face Sai Masu Gida in the final game of match day 29 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season and took away all three points in a dramatic finish at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
League legend Rabiu Ali handed the hosts an early lead before the visitors rallied back in the second half through goals from Taiye Muritala and Christian Pygabara to secure another win on the road.
After the game, Ogunbote, in his post-match interview, praised his players for fighting back after a slow start to the game following their late arrival to the ancient city.
“I have to give it to the Almighty God and at the same time appreciate the players,” began the former Sunshine Stars coach.
“We started poorly because fatigue set in on the players. We left Ibadan on Saturday and we didn’t get here until Sunday night because our vehicle developed a fault. So you expect fatigue to set in”.
He added: We just tried to manage the game in the first 45 minutes and in the second half, I think the boys were able to exhibit what they should have done in the first half.
By Monday’s win, Shooting Stars stay in sixth spot with 46 points after 29 games and just five points behind league leaders Rangers. The Oluyole Warriors will face second-placed Lobi Stars on Sunday and Ogunbote had the following to say about the words of the opposition coach – Eugene Agbagbe – ahead of the game.
“Well, football is a mind game, football is played on the field, not on print, he has the reasons to blow hot, if you look at his position on the table, so if you were in his shoes, wouldn’t you do such a thing?, concluded the former Lobi Stars handler.
Sunday’s league game between Shooting Stars and Lobi Stars has been scheduled to kick off by 5:30 pm at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
