3sc set to outclass Crown FC           Posted on Friday,Nov. 14th 2008

 

Shooting Stars have a chance to rekindle their quest for promotion when they entertain neighbours Crown FC of Ogbomosho in a National First Division cracker slated for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Sunday.  Kick off time is 4.00 pm.
 
Though there’s so much at stake for both teams, particularly the three maximum points on offer, the encounter also promises to be a brotherly affair as both teams enjoy the financial goodwill of Oyo State Executive Governor, Otunba (Dr.) Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.
 
But if there is anyone who craves this potentially explosive tie at this crucial time, it is Coach Niyi Akande of Crown FC. Why?  Because it is an opportunity to make good his desire of defeating Shooting Stars right before their teeming supporters, at least, to prove how good he still is as a coach.
 
Achieving this, to him, is a pointer that 3SC would have lost a rare commodity in him having refused his overtures at returning to the Club before he finally settled with his native club side, Crown Football Club.
 
On the match proper, the record seems to favour the Oluyole Warriors, who still have an edge over their Ogbomoso brothers. 
 
A record of 10 previous meetings gives 3SC seven wins, two draws and a loss.  The Club’s latest triumph was in the final of the Odu’a Cup via penalty shoot-out a few months ago at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.
 
However, it should be clearly stressed that Crown FC have never survived the onslaught of the homers at the Adamasingba Stadium – a record soccer analysts believe should be maintained if Coach Franklin Howard’s boys get their winning strategies right.
 
On current form, Crown FC have an edge with five points from three matches as against 3SC’s four from the same number of games.
 
By and large, it is a crunchy encounter that would attract lovers of good football in and around Oyo State, but one thing is certain, it is a Shooting Star against Shooting Stars!
 
By Jubril Arowolo