Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, has praised his players for their resilience despite suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Katsina United on Friday. The Oluyole Warriors fought hard but conceded the only goal of the match in the final moments of added time at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
Speaking after the match, Ogunbote expressed disappointment over the result but commended his team for their spirited performance. He acknowledged that fatigue played a major role in the loss, preventing his players from executing their game plan effectively.
"It is unfortunate that we lost towards the last minute of added time when we conceded the goal," Ogunbote said. "I think the boys have done very well. They put in their very best, considering what we faced when we were coming here."
The experienced tactician, fondly called "The Oracle," pointed out that the team's late arrival in Katsina affected their performance. He explained that the short recovery time left the players drained and unable to compete at their usual intensity.
"We came here yesterday evening, so you can see the boys could not really express themselves due to fatigue," he added. Despite the disappointment, Ogunbote remains optimistic about his team’s response in upcoming fixtures.
The defeat was a tough blow for 3SC, who had battled fiercely to secure at least a point away from home. Their defensive resilience held firm for most of the match, but a lapse in concentration at the very end cost them dearly.
With the loss, Shooting Stars missed the chance to gain valuable points in their push for a strong league finish. However, Ogunbote has urged his players to put the result behind them and focus on their next challenge.
"This game has come and gone, we are thinking of the next game, that's it," he stated, signaling his intent to move forward quickly. The team will now shift attention to another difficult away fixture against Akwa United, where they will look to bounce back.
Shooting Stars fans will be hoping for an improved display in Uyo as the club aims to stay competitive in the Nigeria Premier Football League. Ogunbote and his players will need to regroup quickly and find a way to overcome their recent setback.
Despite the disappointment, the coach’s belief in his squad remains strong, and he is confident that with better preparation, 3SC will put up a stronger fight in their next outing.
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