2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 38: Shooting Stars coach Ogunbote decries continental slot miss

Posted : 23 June 2024

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Gbenga Ogunbote, the Head Coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), expressed disappointment on Sunday over ending the 2023/2024 season empty-handed.

3SC finished fourth in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, which concluded on Sunday.

After a 1-0 win over Sporting Lagos FC of Ibadan, Ogunbote said his team was unhappy about failing to secure a continental ticket for the next season despite their efforts.

"It was disappointing for us despite everything. Even though we should be celebrating today, having won today’s match and finishing fourth in the competition," he said.

"But we set a target for ourselves to secure a continental ticket next season, and not achieving that has left us clearly unhappy," he added.

Ogunbote, whose team had earlier lost in the quarter-finals of the 2024 President Federation Cup, described failing to meet their set targets as heartbreaking.

"We did all we could, and tried our best, even during the Federation Cup, but unfortunately, our best was not enough," he explained.

The coach attributed their failure to their performance in the first round, which saw them drop to the lower half of the league table.

"We lost it in the first round, dropping to 11th or 12th place. If we hadn’t dropped so many valuable points then, we could have finished in the top three," he lamented.

3SC finished fourth in the league with 62 points from 38 matches, including 18 wins, eight draws, and 12 losses.

They finished behind Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Remo Stars FC of Ikenne, and Enyimba International FC of Aba in first, second, and third positions, respectively.

To secure fourth place on Sunday, 3SC defeated visiting Sporting Lagos 1-0 at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in their matchday 38 fixture.

Christian Pyagbara scored the lone goal in the 38th minute, diving in the goal area to head in a low cross from the right flank.

The result also meant that Sporting Lagos dropped to the Nigeria National League (NNL), joining Doma United FC of Gombe, Heartland FC of Owerri, and Gombe United as relegated teams.

Rangers International, who defeated Gombe United 2-1 in Jos, clinched the league title with 70 points from 38 matches, five points clear of runners-up Remo Stars, who finished with 65 points.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 38: Shooting Stars coach Ogunbote decries continental slot miss

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