Stars set for First Bank challenge          Posted on Friday, Jan. 23 2009

The promotion dogfight enters its 13th Week on Saturday as Shooting Stars play host to First Bank of Lagos at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

The former African champions are looking to improve on their National First Division Group B standing following last weekend’s controversial 1-0 defeat by Dolphins in Port Harcourt.

A majority of 3SC fans have opined that victory over First Bank is non-negotiable as this will strengthen the club’s quest for promotion.

Psychologically, Shooting Stars, who are presently fourth on the log after 12 matches, have an edge over First Bank having earlier beaten Union Bank and Julius Berger, who are also based in Lagos like the 1st bankers. 

With Dolphins expected to beat visiting Bendel Insurance this weekend and maintain their grip at the summit, only a win will see the Stars regaining their place in the top three as the Oluyole Warriors presently trail First Bank by a single point after last weekend’s round of matches.

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars Chief Coach Franklin Howard has called on the club’s teeming fans to storm Adamasingba and render their full backing to the Oluyole Warriors.

“Losing two points in our home match against Insurance has had negative effects on our aspirations so to say, but we are not losing sleep just yet.

“We have mapped out our strategies and we hope to put our plans back in place by defeating First Bank. It’s the only option we have at the moment. All we can ask is for our fans to turn up in their numbers and give us the necessary support,” he said.

Howard, who previously coached Union Bank of Lagos, added that it’s important for Shooting Stars to bag the three points at stake in order to put the team in the right frame for next weekend’s fray away to Anambra United in Onitsha.