A 15th-minute goal by Anthony Okachi proved to be the saving grace for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), helping them secure a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United Football Club of Yenagoa on Sunday in Ibadan.
The Oluyole Warriors started the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 13 game at the Lekan Salami Stadium on a bright note but often failed to convert their numerous chances.
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The team struggled to raise their game and make their superior possession and dominance count, with Okachi and Samuel Ayanrinde showing poor coordination and schoolboy finishing up front.
Bayelsa United managed to push the hosts back and even threatened them with a few counter-attacking moves until Okachi scored with a low shot in the 15th minute.
It was the striker’s second goal in two consecutive games, having scored in the team’s 1-2 loss to Ikorodu United FC in Lagos on Matchday 12.
That was to be the hosts’ brightest moment of the evening, despite the expectant home crowd, with poor passing characterizing their game until the end of the first half.
It was now up to goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal to rescue the team with brilliant saves on several occasions, as Bayelsa United desperately searched for the equalizer while the hosts continued to falter.
The visitors surged forward late in the game, with goalkeeper Lawal making brave and crucial saves in the 70th and 86th minutes.
But Shooting Stars were able to hold on until center referee Andrew Eze brought the game to an end.
The win took Shooting Stars to the ninth spot on the table with 18 points from 13 matches.
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