By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Sports Writer, kick442.com Nigeria
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, overcame the challenge of a bad playing surface, to beat hard fighting Delta Force of Asaba by a lone goal, to maintain their hundred percent record.
Muhammed Akilu, got the only goal of the energy sapping encounter, slashing in Muritala Taye’s pull out, four minutes to the end of the first half, to give the Ibadan soccer lords their seventh straight win of the season.
The Oluyole Warriors fought like trojan to squeeze out the win on a bumpy pitch of the Austin Jay Jay Okocha Stadium, Ogwashi-Uku.
It was a match in which the NNL Group B1 leaders put up great character, as they fought like true Warriors to wade off pressure from the home side, particularly in the second half.
Goalkeeper Charles Tambe kept his cool to keep a clean sheet in a very bad goal area while Abbey Benson, Elum Henry, Amodu Nurudeen, Muritala Taye, gave their all to defend their territory.
Isiaka Mutiu, Fatai Gbadamosi, Akilu Muhammed were on top of their game, just as Enuademu Chinedu, Opeoluwa Olufemi, and Gafar Olafimihan played with tenacity in the matchday seven contest.
The coach Edith Agoye tutored Shooting Stars never hide their intention to beat the homers as they created scoring chances but met a brick wall in the skipper Tosin Adegbite led defence line of the host while goalkeeper Ani Ozoemana also made some spectacular saves to stop the stars.
In the 25th minutes, goalkeeper Charles Tambe pulled a superb save, stretching to parry the ball over the bar, to deny the honers a goal, while Gafar Olafimihan was unlucky as his 33rd minute shot hit the bar, with goalkeeper Ozoemana already beaten.
With Akilu Muhammed’s lone strike separating the two sides in the first half, the second half was fiercely contested as the visitors tried all they could to grab the leveler but the visitors refused to succumb, thwarting all the efforts of the coach Sunday Okoh tutored Delta Force till the referee brought proceedings to an end.
Shooting Stars thus continue their historic feat, having played and won seven matches in a row, scoring a whopping 16 goals with just one conceded.
They comfortably sit atop Group BI with the maximum 21 points and an astonishing goal difference advantage of plus 15.
The Oluyole Warriors will next Wednesday, welcome FC Nilayo of Abeokuta to the Dipo Dina Stadium for a matchday eight fixture.
The Match Day 7 encounter involving host Zamfara United and promotion hopefuls Niger Tornadoes FC lived up to all the pre-match hypes, as the two teams share spoils.
The host came into the game as one of the teams yet to drop any point at home this season, have recorded two wins in previous matches, while Niger Tornadoes on the other hand were looking to build on their exciting outing in their last away game.
The match started on a high tempo with both teams canceling in each other out in all contests, as the first half produces only actions with no goals.
The second half proceeding commences with a similar tempo as the first but was later marred, halfway through, with several referee calls, that threatened the smooth flow of the game. The home team however gained momentum, especially with Luis and John Festus causing problems in attack for Zamfara United, moments later, the host got ahead through Emanuel Okoh who scored after connecting from a corner kick in the 68th minute (although, a clear handball, the referee ruled for a goal) leaving Tornadoes players and officials fuming.
The Ikon Allah Boys from then onward took the game to their host with series of attacks and chances in search of an equalizer.
Respite came in the 80th minute as Shamsudeen Hashim cooly slotted home after collecting a pass from substitute Mohammed Sani to level the score-line.
It took a moment of individual brilliance from Michael Okolo to help Gateway United win their matchday eight Nigeria National League, NNL fixture against Godosky FC of Anambra.
The Ogun State-based outfit started on the front foot as early as the fifth minute when Ogunronbi Hawal created the first real chance of the game but his effort was well saved.
It was all Gateway United as Godosky were pegged back in their half resulting in some comfortable exchange of passes for the Akeem Busari led side.
At the half-hour mark, Oronsaye James tried his luck 25 yards out but his shot was well parried away by the goalkeeper.
There was no parrying away from the Godosky goalkeeper, this time around in the 38th minute when he was left in a no-man’s land as Michael Okolo pinned the ball into the back of the net from 25 yards.
It was that beautiful and a goal worthy of giving the home side a lead entering into the halftime break.
Ten minutes into the second half, the duo of Seyi Okeowo and Tunde Akinsemoyin entered the fray for Odunsina Olasunkanmi and Ogunronbi Hawal
Godosky had the ball in the back of the net but the referee had ruled for an offside as the away team tried to hit a goal on the counter.
There was one more chance for Gateway Utd to double their lead but Oronsanye James’ shot went whiskers wide.
The chance was never going to be rued as Gateway Utd won on the day for all three points.
Next is a trip to Bayelsa to face Bayelsa United on Wednesday, March the 24th, 2021.
Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s free kick in the 41st minute secured maximum points for the Ajilete Boys against Remo Stars FC in Matchday 8 of the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Daniel Ogunmodede made two (2) changes to the starting lineup that got maximum points for his side against Joy Cometh FC last weekend as Balogun Abiodun and Adah Mathias replaced Olawale Yusuf and Oyedele Adebayo.
The game started drowsily, the referee cutting short the moves of the visitors and Crown FC not having a clear attempt on goal in the first forty minutes of the game.
The opener came for the host four minutes to the end of the game after the referee gifts the Ajilete Boys a free kick on the edge of the box, Taiwo Abdulrafiu took the kick and it rolled into the net.
The visitors continued to mount pressure on the host after Adedayo Olamilekan connected well with Agbeko Morgan to get a leveler, but he wasn’t close to converting for the Sky Blue Stars.
Towards the end of the game, Bankole Kayode made a double save to deny the Ajilete Boys from increasing their tally.
Even with the narrow loss to the Crown FC, Remo Stars still maintain their stat on top of the NNL Group B2 table, and they welcome J. Atete FC to Remo Stars Stadium on the 24th of this month.
Kogi United defeated ABS FC of Ilorin 2-1.
Umoru Omajagwu gave the host the lead in the 17th minute.
Charles Eguavoen for the visitors in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot.
Abdulwahab Jibril scored the winning goal for Kogi United.
Holy Arrows came from behind to defeat Ibom Youth 2-1. Wisdom Ndon scored Ibom Youth’s goal.
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