Shooting Stars SC
14, Akinola Maja Avenue,
Jericho Reservation,
G.P.O.Box 19280,
Ibadan, Oyo State,
Nigeria.

Tel: 02-2413094
info@shootingstarssc.com

Mohammed loses penalty as Ocean Boys hold 3SC     Posted on Sunday, Nov. 29th 2009

Shooting Stars dropped two more valuable league points last Saturday following a drab goalless stalemate at home to Ocean Boys at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan .

Fans of the Oluyole Warriors went home in disappointment after another poor display saw Phillip Boamah’s team amassing only eight points from a possible 24. 3SC’s record after eight weeks of Glo League action now stands at two wins, two draws and four defeats.

Last weekend’s draw was 3SC’s second (at home) after forcing Dolphins to a 1-1 ending on the league’s opening day.

But this time there were no goals as Ocean Boys posted a gritty display to deny the Ibadan warlords. The hosts also found themselves battling some questionable officiating from Anambra centre referee Ihenaka Bebeto

An ineffective Bebeto completely lost control of proceedings in a super-charged second half which saw 3SC’s Tope Orelope being stretchered off after a scuffle with an Ocean Boys player.

3SC substitute Ado Mohammed had a golden chance to break the deadlock with only seven minutes remaining but the midfielder’s weak penalty kick was easily punched away by Ocean Boys’ keeper Olufemi Thomas.    

The game began at a rather slow pace as an uncoordinated 3SC midfield fought to contain an equally lethargic Ocean Boys side.

A drab first half was filled with very few scoring chances for both teams, but the second stanza was a vibrant affair characterized by flying tackles and near brawls as centre referee Ihenaka Bebeto lost grip of proceedings.

Five minutes after the restart, the referee overruled what should have counted as Shooting Stars’ opening goal after Tope Orelope’s well-swung free kick eluded Ocean Boys defence and was prodded home by leading scorer Hakeem Adebisi.

Four minutes later, the visitors were presented with a chance of their own but Saka Ayo inexplicably missed from 10 yards out after being put through by substitute Emmanuel Enize.

3SC continued to pile pressure on the visitors as skipper Shakiru Lawal led the surge. Another opportunity was lost when the ref turned a blind eye to Orelope’s appeal for penalty after the midfielder had been fouled in the box.

As the game edged towards a stalemate, 3SC’s lively right wing back Sylvanus Ebiaku fired a free kick straight at goal but keeper Olufemi Thomas was up to the task.

Ebiaku would later be on the receiving end of Ocean Boys’ brawling tactics when he was hacked down by Ifeanyi Ede in an off-the-ball incident. Ede obviously deserved to be sent off, but surprisingly, referee Bebeto only issued a yellow card.

Ebiaku recovered to make another surging run into the Ocean Boys vital area, and in the ensuing melee, he was upended by defender Odili Iyasele. 3SC fans were already jubilating what they thought would be the match winner, but substitute Ado Mohammed shot tamely to Olufemi Thomas’s right side and the keeper punched the ball into touch for a corner.

It was to be 3SC’s last meaningful attempt at goal as fans slammed the team for what they termed ‘another woeful display.’

Shooting Stars have a chance to redeem their image when they host traditional rivals Enugu Rangers at the same venue on Saturday.

By Mark Ogagan

Action Photograph of 3SC versus ocean Boys