Shooting Stars’ quest to return to the continental campaign after 26-year hiatus got a blow as they drew 2-2 with El Kanemi after taking an initial 2-0 lead.

At half-time in the duel, Shooting Stars were two goals up. At that point, they had climbed into the fourth position and just had a point below the third-placed Abia Warriors. They are now three points below the cut-off for continental tickets.

Just before halftime, Gideon Monday doubled the lead in what looked like a rejuvenation of Shooting Stars.

 But the hosts fought back and had a comeback in the final minutes of the game, denting Shooting Stars’ CAF continental hopes.

Daniel  Barnabas pulled a goal back just five minutes into the second half. In the 78th minute, Suleiman  Alabi levelled up for El Kanemi.

Shooting Stars will now look forward to their next match, a home game with Ikorodu City to reconstruct their path to the continent.

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BY HAMEED ADIO (OLY)

To say that fans and supporters of Kwara United were not surprised by their last Sunday’s poor performance against Akwa United in Ilorin, must be an exercise in self-delusion and deceit.

The outpouring of emotions clearly underscores the weight of their disappointment.

The reason for this is of course not far-fetched.

As the only Kwara club in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) top-tier division, Kwara United means so many things to their teeming supporters.

Not a few of them derive joy in the good performance and progress of the club. In the face of mounting economic problems, Kwara United through victory provides moments of respite, joy and celebration.

 This and many other reasons account for their cults like following the Harmony Boys to the effect that they spare nothing to ensure the success of their darling club and its players both on and off the pitch.

It is therefore understandable that they reacted the way they did after Sunday’s poor outing. Even the Club management frowned at their poor performance as inferred from a press statement which specifically charged the technical crew to up their game and put back smiles on the faces of the teeming fans while also apologizing to the fans for the poor outing with a promise to redress the ugly situation.

Now my humble take.

 I believe that the “riot act” given to the technical crew will not be treated with kid gloves rather it will spur them to spare no effort in coming up with strategies aimed at bringing back the club to its winning ways.

Secondly, as the supporters are gradually putting Sunday’s poor outing behind them, the fact must not be lost that they are equally desirous of a remarkable improvement leading to the quest for improved performance of the team in their subsequent outings.

 Thirdly, and if I may ask, what better opportunity to prove this than their next home outing against Nasarawa United in Ilorin?

 Nothing other than a very emphatic and convincing victory is expected, not even a draw not to talk of a loss.

Our players must realize that so much is at stake hence the need to approach today’s encounter with utmost care, seriousness and determination it deserves.

They should rediscover the speed, agility, fighting spirit, skills, resilience, fluidity of play and the knack for goal scoring which once characterized their pattern of play.

 On our part as supporters/fans, we shouldn’t relent in our efforts to drum up maximum support for our darling team.

This trying period is that which our total commitment to their success is most needed and I trust we will not deny them.

Today’s match should be seen as that of “operation total redemption” and I trust you and I will play our parts from the blast of the referee’s whistle to the end in which by the special grace of God victory is assured and we all will have a cause to smile and celebrate. To God be the glory. Up Kwara United!

-Hameed Adio is a Nigerian sports legend, renowned for his impressive career as a sprinter and sports journalist. He is a former commissioner for sports in Kwara State.

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As the Nigeria Premier League gets to the home stretch, the battle for the top three assumes swinging mode with perhaps, only Remo Stars assured of remaining afloat.

They still have their away duel with Lobi outstanding as the game was postponed owing to Remo Stars having their two goalkeepers out on international duties.

From the second position to almost the sixth, anything can still happen as teams climb on one another’s backs as the struggle becomes more stifling.

 Abia Warriors opened the season with a 2-0 home loss are now third on the log – a position many other teams – Shooting Stars, Ikorodu City, and Enugu Rangers among others – have also recently occupied.

 Until the added-time goal earned them a defeat in Port Harcourt, Ikorodu City were already revelling in the top three and eyeing a possible continental ticket in their debut at the Nigerian elite league.

Shooting Stars renewed their quest to return to the continent after a 26-year hiatus by defeating Niger Tornadoes 3-1 in Ibadan.

The league remains the club’s only route to the continent this season after being thrown out of the national cup, the President Federation Cup.

For Shooting Stars, Ayodeji Bamidele opened the scoring after 38 minutes of struggle with the visiting Niger Tornadoes.  Lick was on their side as they got a penalty converted by Anthony Okachi just before half-time.

 But the brilliance of the stars was nearly dimmed when Niger Tornadoes’ Sunday Williams struck in the 66th minute. But their free-kick specialist, Samuel Okon restored Shooting Stars’ two-goal lead in the 77th minute.

  The win revived the hopes as they moved fourth from seventh position.  

Heartland’s hearts were not big enough as they crumbled to a 1-0 loss at home to visiting Abia Warriors. They are now drifting dangerously back to the relegation zone where they were at the end of last season.

In Ilorin, Kwara United appeared to have run out of gas as Akwa United used them as a launch pad away from the relegation zone.

The hosts, lost 2-0, pushing Akwa United upstream to the 16th position, just a step off relegation.

Enyimba FC were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Bayelsa United.

NPFL MATCH DAY 30 RESULTS:

• Enyimba 1-1 Bayelsa United
• Heartland FC 0-1 Abia Warriors
• Katsina United 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
• Kwara United 0-2 Akwa United
• Rivers United 1-0 Ikorodu City
• Shooting Stars 3-1 Niger Tornadoes
• Plateau United 2-1 Kano Pillars
• Bendel Insurance 1-0 Sunshine Stars
• Nasarawa United 1-0 Enugu Rangers

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