Shooting Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote has expressed his satisfaction following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United in their NPFL 2024/25 season opener on Sunday.
Ogunbote acknowledged that securing an away point in a tough contest was a decent way to kick off the season, especially given the challenges posed by their opponents, Footballrover reports.
Despite seeing the result as a missed opportunity, he was content with how his team performed.
FT: Nasarawa United 1-1 @ShootingSc
Anas Yusuf(NAS) ⚽59'
Samuel Ayanrinde (SHO)⚽90+3'Two points lost in Lafia but we go again as we visit @NigerTornadoes
On MD2#NPFL25 #WeAreTheMiners pic.twitter.com/4zrRdUQ6u8— Team Solid Miners FC (@NasarawaUnited) September 8, 2024
The Oluyole Warriors battled their way through a tight first half, with neither side able to break the deadlock before halftime.
However, the game came to life in the second half, when Nasarawa United found the back of the net through Anas Yusuf just 14 minutes after the restart.
Not to be outdone, Shooting Stars rallied, with Samuel Ayanrinde’s late strike salvaging a crucial point for the Ibadan-based club at the Lafia City Stadium.
Samuel entered the game four minutes before the end of regular time and scored the equaliser three minutes into the eight minutes of added time.
Reflecting on the match, Ogunbote explained that the plan was always to absorb the pressure in the first half and then hit back stronger in the second.
He credited Nasarawa United for their resilience, noting their newly promoted status made them eager to prove a point.
Coach Ogunbote expressed his belief in his team’s capabilities, saying he never expected them to lose.
A vital point on the road⭐. pic.twitter.com/qEU3fspVyz
— Shooting Stars SC (@ShootingSc) September 8, 2024
While the coach was pleased with his team’s resilience and ability to grind out a result on the road, he highlighted that with better finishing, the Oluyole Warriors could have walked away with all three points.
“It’s a game we could have won, but coming away with a point is enough to console us,” Ogunbote remarked.
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