Nigeria National League (NNL) Group B1 leaders, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, ended the first round of the 2020/21season on a descent note as they were held to a goalless draw by struggling Ekiti United.
The Ibadan soccer lords, dented the hundred percent home record of the hard fighting United who had won their three previous home matches against Delta Force, Nnewi United and Go Round FC.
The Edith Agoye tutored lads had to battle hard to survive on yet another bad playing pitch to pick a point, which was their first draw of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Detan Ogundare was at his best in between the sticks while Abbey Besnon, Elum Henry, Isiaka Mutiu, Lanre Ferinyaro, Amodu Nurudeen were also firm in their defensive roles, just as Fatai Gbadamosi and Adebayo Abayomi did well in the midfield while Enuademu Chinedu, Opeoluwa Olufemi and Hycient Nwankwegu, put up a spirited fight in the match day eleven encounter.
Second half substitutes, Malomo Ayodeji, Olawale Mutiu and top scorer Gafar Olafimihan, also made positive impacts, inspite of the poor condition of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium playing surface.
The coach Ayodeji Ayeni tutored Ekiti United, who are second to the last on the 12 team table, fought hard for the maximum points, to continue with their good home run but met stiff resistance from a formidable Shooting Stars team.
The host enjoyed the support of a large percentage of their fans, who gained access into the arena to watch the encounter, breaking virtually every Covid-19 protocols.
The result means the Oluyole Warriors go into the mid-season break with 28 points from the possible 33 while Ekiti United, with an outstanding match against Calabar Rovers, remained rooted to the 11th position on the log with just eleven points.
Baring any change, the Oluyole Warriors will play host to the Ado-Ekiti based side on April 25, at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
