NPFL MD22:Plateau Utd halt Shooting Stars winning streak in Jos
By Eagle Eye Sports24
The Nigerian Premier Football League(NPFL)Match Day 22 encounter between host Plateau United versus Shooting Stars,Ibadan lived up to expectation.
The match which was played at the uncompleted ultra modern New Jos International Stadium witnessed heavy security presence including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA)to a forestall any break down of law and order.
The coach Gbenga Ogunbote tutored Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) put up a scintillating performance to maintain their impressive run of form as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Plateau United of Jos.
The Oluyole Warriors narrowly missed making it seven straight wins as the hosts fought back to level up just a minute after the stars went ahead.
The star match had all the trappings of a premier football encounter as both sides were at their premium,giving fans the value for their money.
The pulsating first half of the matchday 22 encounter, played at the New Jos International Stadium, saw the 3SC defensive quartet of Desmond Ojjietefian, Ayodeji Bamidele, Ikouwem Utin and Skipper Gali Falke, alongside Alex Aghahowa, complement the superlative efforts of goalkeeper Abiodun Akande.
Akpan Joshua, Daddy Abdulrahman, Tijani Kabiru, Nonso Nzediegwu and Sodiq Ibrahim led the push at the other side, with both sides unable to get the needed goal in the first half.
The two teams raise their game in the second half with the introduction of Albert Hilary,Sunday Anthony and Yusuf Abdullahifor United.The homers restratigize , thus creating tensed moments for the Oluyole Warriors .
On the other hand coach Gbenga Ogunbote led technical crew introduced the trio Ephraim Nwachukwu, Samuel Ayanrinde, Ekeson Okorie to increase the pressure on their hosts.
After series of misses, the Oluyole Warriors finally broke the deadlock through Tijani Kabiru in the 74′, whose out side the 18 yard shot, beat Plateau United goal tender Emeka Nwabulu hands down.
The celebration that greeted the goal had hardly died down when Albert Hilary levelled up for the homers in the 76′ of play.
The Oluyole Warriors were lucky not to have conceded a late goal from Plateau United when a 90+5 goal bound attempt attempt hit the wood work and was parried by the 3SC goal keeper.
The Peace Boys made late moves for the winning goal via the deadly incursions of left footed newly sign-on player Yusuf Abdulahi but the 3SC backline stood like the Rock of Gibraltar.
The match witnessed the strength of 3SC goalkeeper Abiodun Akande who made daring saves to deny the Peace Boys the needed victory in order to soar out of the murky waters of relegation.
The draw puts Plateau United on the 16 position with 24 points while Shooting Stars maintain their 2nd place with 37 point on the 20 teams log.
The Oluyole Warriors will play host to Bendel Insurance in a match day 23 fixture on Saturday while Plateau United travel to Kaduna to confront Niger Tornadoes at their temporary home at Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Sunday.
Eagle Eye Sports24 reports that the match attracted many government functionaries and former international footballers that witnessed the encounter.
