NPFL: Monday Gideon & Akpan Joshua open goal as 3SC edge Akwa Utd
Monday Gideon and Akpan Joshua opened their 2024/25 NFPL season goal account as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) defeated Akwa United 2-1 in one of the matchday nine fixtures, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday in Ibadan, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
A few days after defeating Katsina United on the same turf, the Oluyole Warriors put another smile on the faces of their fans as they earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Akwa United.
Coach of the side, Gbenga Ogunbote made a few changes to the squad that earned the 1-0 win over Katsina United, with Alex Aghahowa making a return after missing out the last game due to suspension.
Expectedly, the Stars swooped on the Promise Keepers right from the blast of the referees' whistle but couldn't find the back of the net.
When it appeared the two sides would return to the locker room, the homers finally got the much sought-after goal, with Gideon's screamer from outside the opponent's 18-yard box, eluding the visitors' defense and goalkeeper Hakeem Otuyiga.
At the start of the second half, coach Ogunbote introduced Anthony Okachi to Samuel Ayanrinde, to increase the pressure on the Uyo-based side.
After numerous unyielding attempts, Shooting Stars doubled their lead in the 73rd minute, when Gideon's pull-out was perfectly headed home by Joshua Akpan, whose header beat former 3SC goalie, Ovunda Darlintin, who took the place of injured Otuyiga.
Despite the introduction of Lawal Abdullahi, Fasanmi Olaniyi, and Bolaji Sakin, Shooting Stars failed to take their chances to add to their tally.
But it was the visitors who reduced the tally with eight minutes of the 90 left, through Friday Appolos.
With the victory, the Ibadan soccer lords have their points haul increased to 12 points from nine matches and will next travel to Minna to confront Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 10.
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