League
Ibadan, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Christian Pyagbara’s 13th minute goal on Wednesday ensured hosts Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) beat visiting Rangers International Football Club 1-0 in a 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that victory in the Match Day 36 fixture strenghtened the Ibadan-based 3SC’s pursuit of a place among the competition’s final top three.
Both sides came into the game looking very hungry for goals to gain advantage, but it was the hosts that soon took charge with flowing moves down the flanks.
They ran rings round the visitors, with team captain Taofeek Malomo and midfielder Ayobami Junior holding sway.
They sustained their attack to confine the league leaders to their half, and were soon rewarded when Ayobami Junior’s corner-kick from the left flank was headed in by Pyagbara.
Rangers fought back gamely, but the 3SC defence was stoic, with Gbolagade Adelowo and Ayodeji Bamidele holding their own and Victor Ehibe and Gali Falke taking full charge on the flanks.
Second half play saw Rangers International becoming more daring and were close on a number of occasions, only finishing poorly.
They threatened 3SC so much as to keep them on the back foot midway into the second half.
But good defending by the hosts and poor finishing by the visitors kept the scoreline the same way it was earlier.
NAN reports that the result took 3SC to 59 points from 36 games, but still kept them in fourth place, one point behind third-placed Enyimba International FC of Aba.
This was in spite of Enyimba dropping two points after drawing 1-1 with visiting Bayelsa United of Yenagoa in Aba to stay with 60 points from 36 matches.
Rangers on their part are still maintaining top spot with 64 points from 36 matches, two points ahead of second-placed Remo Stars of Ikenne who are with 62 points from 36 games.
3SC will visit Bayelsa United in their next game, while Rangers host Bendel Insurance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)
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