Mustapha keeps another clean sheet as Ikouwem Utin’s goal ends Rangers’ unbeaten run.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, on Sunday, secured their second away win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Rangers International of Enugu.
Ikouwem Utin’s 28th minute thuderous shot was all that earned the Stars the maximun points at the expense of the eternal rivals.
Supporters of the Flying Antelopes who had thronged the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in numbers, watched in disbelief as the coach Gbenga Ogunbote tutored lads brought their team’s 10-match unbeaten run to an end.
The game of two halves saw the Ibadan soccer lords take full control of the first half and could have added more goals but for missed chances.
Alex Aghahowa, Daddy Abdulrahman, and Tijani Kabir held sway in the middle while Akpan Joshua, Tosin Olawale and Fasanmi Olaniyi troubled the hosts upfront.
The Flying Antelopes upped their game in the second half, taking the game to the Oluyole Warriors, but the defensive quartet of Desmond Ojietefien, Ayodeji Bamidele, Gbolagade Adelowo and Ikouwem Utin, stood their ground, while goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal was also at his best.
Rangers had an ample opportunity to level up when they were awarded a penalty, nine minutes to the end of the game but Ikenna Stephen balloned the ball over the bar.
With their fourth consecutive win, Shooting Stars have moved to the third position on the log with 30 points fron 18 matches, just three points behind joint toppers, Remo Stars and Rivers United.
The Oluyole Warriors will hope to continue their good run and ultimately end the first round on a winning note when they play host to Kwara United FC of Ilorin next Sunday.
