Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, put up a spirited fight but were pegged by visiting Rangers International of Enugu, as the NPFL matchday 16 encounter, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Playing under floodlights, before their supporters and fans, including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, the Oluyole Warriors fought bravely right from the blast of the referees’s whistle, invading their opponents’ goal area, but only lacked the cutting edge.
Despite defending for most part of the half, it was the Flying Antelopes, who shot into the lead a minute into the added time, through Ikechukwu Eboko, to end the first half 1-0 in favour of the Abdul Maikaba tutored lads.
However, the Ibadan soccer lords turned the heat the more on the Antelopes in search of the leveller which did not come until the 57th minute, when Chinedu Enuademu, making his first appearance for the team after a long absence due to injury, got the well deserved equaliser in a fabulous fashion, after receiving a tailored pass from Akilu Mohammed.
The Edith Agoye tutored Warriors, cheered on by their vociferous fans, who were on ground to watch the night game, continued to push for another goal but were undone by hard luck and the time wasting tactics adopted by the visitors, who seem satisfied with sharing of the spoils.
The introduction of Ayo Adejubu, Wasiu Alalade by the 3SC bench, further forced the Antelopes to go defensive, in addition to wasting of time.
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The game did not go without some moments of questionable officiating as the match officials ignored what looked like a penalty call for the homers, after a Rangers defender handled the ball inside the 18 yard box.
Inspite of the much time wasted, only three minutes were added and despite numerous incuraions by 3SC, Rangers were able to hold on till the referee brought proceedings to an end, thus denying the Oluyole Warriors the maximum points.
Shooting Stars remained 12th on the log with 20 points from 16 matches and will next travel to the Garden City, Port Harcourt for a crunchy matchday 17 tie against inform and table topping Rivers United on Sunday.
