Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, continued their good run in the 2019/20 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL), as they were forced to a one all draw by FC Nilayo of Abeokuta.
The tension soaked encounter, played on the sandy pitch of the M.K.O Abiola Stadium, was watched by a fairly large crowd, including hundreds of travelling supporters of the Ibadan soccer lords.
Coach Edith Agoye paraded a strong team with Michael Uweru in goal, skipper Omololu Wahéed,Abbey Benson, Olawale Mutiu and Taiwo Muritala taking care of the rear, Gbadamosi Fatai, Akilu Muhammed Adebayo Abayomi controlling the middle and Olafimihan Gafar, Opeoluwa Olufemi as well as Chinedu Enuademu, doing the job upfront.
However, the Oluyole Warriors, struggled to play their normal game, no thanks to the unsuitable condition of the pitch, which did not allow the players to express themselves.
The determined Nilayo boys showed they were not ready to fall flat to the more experienced 3SC, taking advantage of the poor state of the pitch, which they were used to, to hold the visitors.
When it appeared the first half will end goalless, the Oluyole Warriors broke the deadlock, as in form right back, Taiwo Muritala neatly connected home a well laid pass by Adebayo Abayomi, to put the Stars on the driving seat, going into the break.
The second half was barely four minutes old, when Femi Ojo nodded home, off a corner kick, which did not only beat goalkeeper Uweru for the eqaualiser but ensure the 3SC shot stopper exit the game prematurely, having sustained injury in an effort to save the ball.
Uweru’s exit gave goalkeeper Dare Dede the opporunity to make his debut for 3SC and the former Go Round of Omoku goalie reacted perfectly as he was called to duty on several ocassions by the determined Nilayo forwards.
What appeared to be the winning goal for Shooting Stars was overuled by the refereee in the 93rd minute, after Mohammed Mohammed, a second half substitute was adjuged to be in an offside pposition before slotting in the ball as Nilayo goalkeeper failed to deal with a long range shot, off a free kick by Fatai Gbadamosi.
The draw takes 3SC points haul to ten from four games, a point ahead of Osun United who are placed second with nine points from the same number of matches.
The Oluyole Warriors will face Ekiti United next Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, after which the Chrismas and new year break would be observed.
