BODE DANIEL LAST MINUTE KICK EARNS 3SC MAXIMUM POINTS AGAINST RANGERS

It was all rapture at the blast of the final whistle as the rescheduled week eight fixture between Shooting Stars and Rangers International of Enugu produced one of the most spirited and emotional result both for the home team and their fans. Shooting Stars have not won at home in four consecutive matches and were on the verge of recording its 5th home draw in the 2016/2017 NPFL Season before the dawn.

The game started on a determined note for Shooting Stars going by the anxious expectations of the fans and also previous drab performances at home.

The first 45 minutes produced a very tight contest and both teams gave good accounts of themselves with Shooting Stars having an edge in terms of goal scoring tendencies. On the 32rd minute, Sunday Faleye dribbled past Chibuzor Madu and strike against the wood work.

Rangers International came close to scoring when Suraj Sodiq cleared a goal bound volley from Daniel Etoh. Faleye again headed Ebiaku Promise’s free kick on 45th minute over the cross bar to end the first half in a goalless draw.

It was all ding dong as the game restarted for the second half. Jide Apena’s effort was going to be the first goal for 3SC but it was disposed away by the brilliant Itodo Akor in goal for Rangers. From then on, the home team became eager to get a goal knowing fully the importance of the match and their position on the log.    

Coach Fatai Amoo made a double change with Adigun Adebayo and Bode Daniel replacing Jide Apena and Junior Merenini respectively to tilt the tidings of the game. This almost paid off in the 67th minute when Bode Daniel was brought down 30 yards to goal but the effort was wasted over the bar. There was also a quick change by 3SC on the 72nd minute when Olaifa was withdrawn for Adigun Abayomi.

Shooting continued to mount pressure on the visitors with another goal bound clearance made by Rangers’ Kalu Orji on the 75th minutes. Coach Imama Amapakabo of Rangers at this point brought in Chinedu Udeagha to replace Daniel Etor to shore up their defence line.

The game was drawing into its closing stages when Referee Basheer Salihu spotted an infringement in the box by 3SC goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar and pointed to the penalty spot at the 88th minutes for Rangers. This seemed Shooting Stars was heading to its first home loss this season. Sunday Aguda stepped out to take the penalty kick for Rangers and he misses! This brought out a loud cheer from the home fans as they felt at that stage, a home draw yet again would be better than a loss.

As the game entered its added time in the 94th minute, Bode Daniel scored the winner for Shooting Stars when he latched onto a loose ball in the box.
 It was indeed a rapture at Adamasingba as the grueling home fans were seen dancing away as they witnessed a very energy sapping and spirited three points for the home team.

Daniel was later voted as the Most Valuable Player for his talismanic effort and superb goal. He was gifted with prizes from the Ibadan City Polytechnic Management and also the Shooting Stars Progress Club, Ibadan.

With this victory, Shooting has ended a-seven game run without a win and we hope to continue building on the feat. The team has moved to 13th position on the NPFL log with 16 points from 14 matches and www.3sc.com.ng hope this will be one out of many victories that will be recorded this season by the Warriors.