Nigerian Football
Agoye thrilled by Shooting fightback against Rangers
Shooting Stars of Ibadan fought back from two goals down to share the spoils with arch rivals, Rangers, a result that is considered a huge shot in the arm for their struggle to avoid relegation.
To Coach Edith Agoye, the result was deserved even as he told Shooting Stars fans to banish their fears of the club getting relegated.
On 44 points after 35 games and needing a win or at least a draw to create a distance from the struggling lot, the Oluyole Warriors had Moses Omodumueke to thank for two late goals that neutralised two earlier goals by Shedrack Asiegbu(46th) and Chidiebere Nwobodo (56th).
Agoye, a former international and alumni of 3SC, said he was indeed satisfied with the outcome of the game, promising that they will definitely improve on their finishing in the next game against Rivers United in Ibadan.
“It was a great game and a great come back. I am completely satisfied with the fighting spirit of the players. They did well today and we are going back to work on our finishing which has always been a challenge” he said.
The Ibadan outfit returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the start of the season but have posted indifferent results, leaving them within the bracket of threatened teams.
Despite ending the first stanza of the current league on a high, Rangers international have struggled particularly at away games and have lost three straight away games against Abia Warriors, Nasarrawa United and Kano Pillars respectively.
The host pressured, dominated and created the better opportunities in the first 45 mins but lacked the composure and direction to put the ball behind the net as the first half ended in a stalemate
On resumption of the second stanza, Shedrack put the host ahead in the 46th minutes as he rose highest in the 18-yard box to head home a cross from Eso Achibong. Chidiebere doubled the lead for the home side in the 56 minutes as he finished off a flick from Shedrack.
Substitute Omodumueke Moses got a brace for the Oluyole Warriors first in the 73rd min as he benefited from a mix-up at the heart of the defence to slot the ball and 87tth min when raced passed two Rangers defenders to earn a point for his team.
With the result Enugu Rangers remained fourth with 53 points as at Saturday night. But that changed on Sunday as Kwara United’s 3-0 defeat of Nasarawa United pushed Rangers down to fifth position. They
will travel to Gombe United in their next fixture while 3SC , struggling to avert a recurring relegation that hovers around the team will host champions-elect, Rivers United in Ibadan.
-npfl
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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