Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, marked their return to the elite league on a good note, as they held their nerves to hold rampaging Gombe United to a goalless draw.
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday one encounter, decided at the Gombe Stadium, Pamtami, was watched by a large crowd.
Gombe United will rue their missed opportunities as the Scorpions’ forwards, Ahmed Jimoh, Ibrahim Yahaya and Samuel Oyedeji abd Samaila Bello, were wasteful in fromt of goal, failing to convert begging chances in both halves of the tie.
Superlative goalkeeping, resolute defending on the part of the Oluyole Warriors and poor marksmanship by the host, combined to ensure the sharing of the spoils by both sides.
It was a game between goalkeeper Dare Dede and Gombe United attackers in the first half, in which the 3SC shot stopper had to manage to finish, having sustained injury and was unable to resume with his teammates in the second half.
The Savannah Scorpions, who dominated the first half, started from where they stopped in the second half but again, they could not find the back of the net as goalkeeper Laide Okanlawon, who replaced Dede, stood between them and goal.
Shooting Stars’ defensive quartet of skipper Omololu Waheed, Isiaka Mutiu, Amodu Nurudeen and Bafan Augustine, with the help of Akilu Mohammed and Henry Ndedi, stood their ground, thwarting every goal bound effort of the homers.
Olatunji Dare, Gafar Olafimihan, Malomo Taofeeq and Sochima Elum also tried to ease the pressure from the Scorpions, but their efforts barely created any anxious moment in the visitors’ rear.
The introduction of Ebenezer Odeyemi and Wasiu Alalade for Sochima and Malomo by coach Edith Agoye, added little bites to the 3SC attack as they tried to peg the host to their half.
With less than eight minutes to regulation time, Henry Ndedi got the marching order for a second bookable offence, a development that gave the Scorpions the upper hand as they swooped on the Oluyole Warriors’, searching for the elusive goal.
The Ibadan soccer lords, however refused to cave in as they stood thier ground, warding off the late rush from the homers till referee Patience Madu brought proceedings to an end after the expiration of the three minutes added to the 90.
The Oluyole Warriors will next face league holders , Akwa United of Uyo, in a matchday two fixture slated for Boxing day at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
