Monday Gideon scored a goal and made an assist as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) spanked Akwa United 2-1 in a Matchday nine fixture, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Fresh from Monday’s 1-0 win over Katsina United at the same turf on Matchday eight, the Oluyole Warriors approached the encounter with the zeal for victory, in the presence of their fans.
Coach Gbenga Ogunbote made few changes to the squad that tamed Katsina United, with Alex Aghahowa making a return after missing out the last game due to suspension.
Expectedly, the Stars swooped on the Promise Keepers right from the blast of the referees’ whistle but couldn’t find the back of the net.
When it appeared the two sides will return to the locker room, the homers finally got the much sought after goal, with Gideon’s screamer from outside the opponent’s 18 yard box, eluding the visitors’ defense and goalkeeper Hakeem Otuyiga.
At the start of the second half, coach Ogunbote introduced Anthony Okachi for Samuel Ayanrinde, to increase the pressure on the Uyo based side.
After numerous unyielding attempts, Shooting Stars doubled their lead in the 73rd minute, when Gideon’s pull out was perfectly headed home by Joshua Akpan, whose header beat former 3SC goalie, Ovunda Darlintin, who took the place of injured Otuyiga.
Despite the introduction of Lawal Abdullahi, Fasanmi Olaniyi and Bolaji Sakin, Shooting Stars failed to take their chances to add to their tally.
But it was the visitors who reduced the tally with eight minutes of the 90 left, through Friday Appolos.
With the victory, the Ibadan soccer lords have their points haul increased to 12 points from nine matches and will next travel to Minna to confront Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 10.
