Shooting Stars Coach Nurudeen Aweroro admitted his side struggled under “too much pressure” in their 1-0 defeat to Rivers United on Sunday.

A late strike from Friday Ubong sealed the win for Rivers in Port Harcourt, leaving the Oluyole Warriors still searching for their first Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) victory this season, Footballrover reports.

Shooting Stars Coach Nurudeen Reflects on Rivers United Loss

Speaking after the game, Nurudeen expressed his disappointment but praised his players for battling through difficult moments.

— “I don’t know what to say about the game, but I want to encourage my players to do more, all they can to manage the pressure. Pressure was coming from every corner, different angles, but kudos to them, they managed to cope with the pressure,” he said.

Despite the narrow defeat, the coach insisted that morale within the squad remain intact.

— “That we are yet to win a game does not dampen the morale of the team. I only observed we are getting better and better in each game, and I want to believe we can still get better.”

Godgift Elkanah Impresses on Debut for Shooting Stars

There was a bright spot for Shooting Stars as goalkeeper Elkanah made a strong impression on his debut.

His calm presence, sharp reflexes, and crucial saves gave the team a fighting chance against Rivers United.

When asked if Elkanah could be the best in the league, Aweroro responded with confidence:

— “Sincerely speaking, he’s one of the best. He has the confidence,, and for what he did, that’s not a new thing to me. I know the guy can do better, and I want to encourage him to do more.”

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Last Updated on September 16, 2025 8:23 am by footballrover