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Stars shoot down Zamfara Posted on Monday, Jan.11th 2010
Shooting Stars returned to winning ways with an inspiring 2-0 thumping of Zamfara United of Gusau in a rescheduled Week 11 Glo Premier League match the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan last Saturday.
Second half goals by Meshack Chukwubuikem and Dolapo Omotayo settled the deadlock and gave 3SC the maximum points and their first win in six consecutive matches.
Scores stoof 0-0 at half time but a turbo-charged Oluyole Warriors turned on the heat in a second half blitz that saw the visitors beating the retreat.
Stars shot into the lead seven minutes after the restart when Meshack Chukwubuikem slammed the ball into the net after collecting a pass from Dolapo Omotayo.
Chukwubuikem would later turn provider when his pass was connected by Omotayo for the second goal on 77 minutes.
The victory was a relief of sorts for teeming fans of the former African kings who have had a torrid week in the wake of Phillip Boamah's sack and the heated speculations that followed.
A national sports daily even reported the "appointment" of Jossy Lad as the team's new head coach during the week.
The 3SC management would later debunk the story, branding it as a calculated effort at derailing the due process of hiring a tested hand to steer the team forward.
3SC General Manager and Technical head Mutiu Adepoju, who took charge of the side in the absence of a substantive coach, said the defeat of Zamfara United would ease some of the pressure on the team as they prepare for Wednesday's home cracker against Heartland FC of Owerri at the same venue.
"We worked hard for this game (against Zamfara), and we thank God that our prayers were answered at the end of the day. The difference between today's performance and previous ones was that everyone realized the importance of winning and this made us re-double our efforts.
"Although we could have scored more in view of the opportunities we created, but all the same we are happy claiming the three points at stake and the fans are the happier for it.
He echoed the feelings of 3SC supporters who have demanded for sustained momentum ahead of the upcoming midweek clash against visiting Heartland FC of Owerri at the same venue.
"Against Heartland on Wednesday we are targeting another win to improve on our league standing.
"It won't be easy playing a team of Heartland's calibre but there's a renewed zeal in the Shooting Stars camp that no opponent can withstand.
"And let me seize this opportunity to call on our numerous fans to come to the Stadium in their numbers to give us the support we need, and by the grace of God we shall not disappoint," he said.
By Mark Ogagan
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