2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 4: Shooting Stars gaffer Ogunbote heaves relief over Heartland win

Posted : 01 October 2024

After securing a much-needed win over Heartland FC in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Shooting Stars SC gaffer Gbenga Ogunbote said that the victory was a significant relief for the entire team.

Recall that the Oluyole Warriors secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Heartland at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday.

He acknowledged the tough nature of the game but expressed joy that his team was able to handle the situation, a win made possible by Samuel Ayanrinde's fantastic strike.

"I think it is going to be a big relief for the team, having played the first two matches without a win. This win, no matter how it comes, is a big relief for the team," Ogunbote stated.

Ogunbote also revealed why his players lost steam, especially during most of the second half after a dominant first-half performance.

"We started very well at the beginning of that game, but immediately after that goal, the synergy wasn’t there anymore; some of the players switched off somehow.

"At one point, two of our defenders were already on yellow cards, so they were playing with a lot of caution; the confidence to mark and play wasn’t there any longer. It took a great toll on us," he said.

It was Abiodun Akande’s goalkeeping heroics in the second half that kept away a resurging Heartland Football Club of Owerri, allowing hosts Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to win.

Akande made crucial saves during the game to rescue the hosts from the visiting side, which came out battling in the second half.

Heartland FC, who had an unimpressive start to the season before this match, were a surprise package as they fought the battle of their lives.

They had the Lekan Salami Stadium crowd with their hearts in their mouths most of the time, looking dominant for the majority of the game.

The match started in an end-to-end fashion, with both sides deploying long-ball tactics, as the hosts were lacking the needed creativity in the midfield.

The visitors did well to contain them with dangerous counter-attacks through the flanks, but they were not crisp with their passes in the final third.

However, 3SC did well to capitalize on the advantage they gained in the 21st minute.

This was when Samuel Ayanrinde ran onto a flick from the middle into the left edge of Heartland FC’s penalty area.

He only needed to control the ball and blast it into the net for the only goal that settled the game.

Heartland FC were more on the front foot in the second half, with prompt substitutions that looked likely to be rewarding.

But with Akande’s heroics and poor finishing holding them back, they could only keep the hosts’ fans on the terraces looking bemused and wishing for the final whistle.

3SC are now eighth with five points from three matches, having won one match, drawn two, scored three goals, and conceded two.

They have an outstanding match scheduled for Wednesday in Benin against hosts Bendel Insurance FC, before heading to Lafia to face Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi.

Heartland FC have only one point from four matches, with one draw and three losses, and are 18th on the 20-club log, having scored only two goals and conceded seven.

Remo Stars of Ikenne are still holding onto their spot at the top of the league table, remaining unbeaten after four matches with 12 points.

They beat visiting Rangers International of Enugu 2-1, while Rivers United of Port Harcourt trails them with 10 points from four matches after beating Enyimba International of Aba 2-0.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 4: Shooting Stars gaffer Ogunbote heaves relief over Heartland win

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