3rd July, 2017
Hosts Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan on Sunday defeated visiting Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi 2-0 in a 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) Match Day 27 fixture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that home side 3SC secured victory with a fantastic first half performance to move a step up the league table.
They scored their two goals through Ibrahim Ajani and Bode Daniel in the 28th and 43rd minutes of the game to move from 19th to 18th with 32 points.
NAN reports that 3SC went on to dominate the match till the final minute, having gained more confidence from its first half lead.
The visiting Wikki Tourists equally fought back till the last minute, but all efforts to turn the table against their hosts were foiled by a determined 3SC defence.
Coach Mangut Mbwas of Wikki Tourists later acknowledged 3SC’s superiority, adding that 3SC converted their goal scoring chances in the game to deserve the win.
Mbwas also said the match’s officiating and goals scored in the game were excellent, saying his team would have to step up their game in subsequent matches.
He said they would now be needing maximum points from their matches to be comfortable with their position on the table.
“The officiating and goals scored were excellent. It was not what we expected truly. We just could not have the game. I give it all to 3SC,’’ the coach said.
He said his team’s quest to win a ticket to play on the continental was not too away from being achieved, as they would be needing about five to six points.
“These are just from two games, and we will improve and cover up to meet up with the target.
“We have about 11more games to play and the position is just about one or two more games to meet up.
“I believe it is not impossible for us if we work harder,’’ Mbwas said.
On his part, Edith Agoye, the 3SC head coach, said his team had played very well to get the victory.
He however conceded that they needed to put in more efforts to push the team away from the relegation zone on the log.
The coach said the team would be going to Enugu with the determination of securing the maximum points, adding that they were hopeful that the game would be very open.
Agoye said it was rather unfortunate that they could not secure at least a point against Rivers United in their penultimate match day fixture.
He said this was even worrisome in the face of the fact that several teams had been finding it difficult playing against his team.
“Teams have been finding it difficult against us, looking at the margin of goals against us in some away matches.
“So, all we need to do is to improve and take our chances to change the tide of losing away games,’’ the coach said.
He however said that, at this stage of the league, every match was open, and that his team was ready to utilise every slight opportunity available to it.