Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan's Technical Adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote, said that his side was able to defeat Kano Pillars due to the ongoing Ramadan fasting observed by Kano Pillars players.
The Oluyole Warriors produced a stunning victory over the northern opposition, Sai Masu Gida, 2-1 in front of a packed Sani Abacha Stadium.
Ogunbote commended the NPFL organizers and his players for their performance while acknowledging the challenge of Pillars players observing fasting, which he believed affected their performance.
Speaking ahead of the next game with Lobi Stars, Ogunbote said the Lobi Stars coach is playing a mind game, adding that football is not played in the media but on the field.
"I appreciate the players because we started poorly due to fatigue on the players.
"We just tried to manage the game in the first half, but in the second half, the boys were able to exhibit what they should have done in the first half.
"No disrespect to Kano Pillars, they are a good team, but you must know that we have been in this business and we know that core north sides, 90 to 95% of them will be fasting.
"You cannot take it away from them that it really affected them. They played out of strength and unfortunately got punished.
"The name is football, and it's a mind game. Football is played on the field, not in print.
"He has the reasons to be upset if you look at his position. If you were in his shoes, wouldn't you do the same?"
Meanwhile, Shooting Stars have climbed to 6th position with 46 points and will host Lobi Stars in their upcoming fixture.
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