Aghahowa, Achiv on Target as Shooting Stars Beat Lobi Stars 2-0
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, on Tuesday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, humbled Lobi Stars of Makurdi, 2-0, to maintain their blistering form.
A goal in each half was all the Oluyole Warriors needed to silence the visitors, who however gave the Ibadan soccer lords, a run for their money.
The matchday 30 fixture was barely three minutes old when the homers found the back of the net through Alex Aghahowa who scored from a close range after goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel spilled a well taken free kick by skipper Malomo Taofeek.
The goal brought out the best in both sides as the visitors pressed for the leveller while Shooting Stars made efforts to increase the tally.
None of the two sides could however make their efforts count, thus ending the first half 1-0 in favour of 3SC.
Backed by their vociferous crowd, the coach Gbenga Ogunbote tutored lads started the second half on high, bombarding the visitors’ goal area for more goals but were shy in front of goal.
Lobi Stars came back stronger into the game later on, creating some anxious moments in the Shooting Stars’ goal area but goalkeeper Odah Okemute produced astonishing saves on number of occassions to prevent the visitors from equalising.
Substitute, Douglas Achiv, put the game beyond the hard fighting Lobi Stars with the second goal, lashing onto a rebound after goalkeeper Emmanuel, again failed to handle Christian Pyagbara’s shot, to send the stadium into wild jubilation.
The win pushed the Oluyole Warriors to the fourth position, with 49 points from 30 matches and the Ibadan soccer lords, will next face Heartland FC of Owerri in a Matchday 31 encounter slated for this Friday.