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A late first half goal by skipper Malomo Taofeek, was enough to secure an important win for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan over Rivers United FC on Saturday.
The rescheduled Matchday 15 encounter, played at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, saw both sides battle grit for grit for the entire 90 minutes and extra time.
Although clear cut chances were scarce, the defence line of the two teams were busy for most part of the game, while the two goalies were called to duty on few ocassions.
The Oluyole Warriors paraded few new faces with Hadi Mohammed starting, while the duo of Alimi Sunday and Jimoh Oni joined the action as second half substitutes.
While it seemed the first half will end barren, the Ibadan soccer lords got a well deserved penalty kick, after Hadi Mohammed was fouled in the opponents’ dangerous area.
Skipper Malomo Taofeek stepped up to take the kick and he perfectly struck the ball into the back of the net to give the homers a one nil lead into the break.
That would be the only goal of the pulsating game as both sides pressed for goals in the second half but none of their efforts could hit the target, thus ending the tie 1-0 in favour of the Oluyole Warriors.
The hard fought win increased Shooting Stars’ point haul to 26 from 19 matches and the team will next face Enyimba FC in Aba in a matchday 20 fixture scheduled for next Sunday.
