Ogunjobi Gold Cup: Alausa charges Shootings Stars to go gun blazing against Tornadoes

As Shooting Stars put behind their shocking 3-2 loss to Niger Tornadoes in the NNL Super 8 final in Enugu, Kabiru Alausa has told fans of the club that the team will come out smoking on Saturday.

The Oluyole Warriors and Ikon Allah Boys go head-to-head at the FC Ebedei Stadium in one of the premium star games of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup pre-season tournament.

Alausa who guided Shooting Stars to their first victory at the Ogunjobi Gold Cup from the dugout was full of delight after his lads came from behind to subdue FC Ebedei 3-1 on Matchday One.

"It was a good win and wasn't an easy game against FC Ebedei, kudos to my players for showing class despite the fatigue.

"Tough one shuttling from one pre-season tournament to another, however, it's good for the team and the coaches to ascertain the quality of the squad they have going into the season."

About the game against Tornadoes, the Nigerian Professional Football League(NPFL) legend and former highest goal hunter said the game was not different from the ones we have played before now.

"It is a game we want to win to boost the confidence level of the squad. We'll come out smoking as the players will put in all the energy they have against Tornadoes.

Shooting Stars and Tornadoes are joint leaders in Group B with 3points but the Oluyole Warriors are top on the log with superior goals for, of three while the Ikon Allah Boys have two

Taye Muritala: Former Nigeria U23 invitee joins the Tourists' train

 

By Wale Mustapha

Former Nigeria U23 invitee, Taye Muritala has joined Wikki Tourists from 3SC, with the club beating off rivals including Gombe United, Nasarawa United and Plateau United.

The versatile defender was widely regarded as one of Shooting Stars' best young performers last term, he helped the club gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

His move to Bauchi represents something of a coup for the Giant Elephants.

Gombe United, Nasarawa United and Plateau United were reportedly among the other clubs chasing the ex-Gateway United man's services.

"I'm delighted to be involved with Wikki Tourists," the 21-year-old told the Media on Friday. 

"This is a great opportunity for me to demonstrate my qualities at the highest level and to continue my progress at a club with high ambitions.

"I'm looking forward to starting the NPFL season with Wikki Tourists and I'm going to put all my energy into helping the team achieve its goals at the end of the season."

#DapoAbidounCup21: Gateway United share points with 3SC as Sunshine wins the battle of Stars against Remo

Gateway United put up a spirited performance to hold defending champions, Shooting Stars to a 1-1 draw in the first game of Matchday Two.

Ayo Adejubu opened the scoring in the second minute of the game with a fine strike from a tight angle. Gateway United came back into the game, after Seyi Okeowo’s pass met Emmanuel Orji inside the area, and the tall striker calmly slotted the ball home.

Kwara United bounced back from their defeat in the first game to Shooting Stars, as they claimed a 1-0 win over Ijebu United. 

A first half goal from Kabir Balogun in the 34th minute was enough to give Kwara United their first win of the tournament. 

Sunshine Stars started their campaign on a winning note, after claiming a hard fought 1-0 win against Remo Stars. 

First half ended without a goal after both teams missed several chances to score. Hadi Mohammed broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute after putting the ball past James Faith in goal. 

Two second half goals from Ndubusi Pascal and Dennis Obasi ensured MFM FC get their first win of the tournament. 

First half ended in stalemate, until Ndubusi Pascal benefited from a through pass to beat Shodipo Korede in goal. Dayo Alabi’s shot inside the area was saved by Korede before a rebound from Dennis Obasi made it 2-0 to the Olukoya boys. 

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: 

Sunshine Stars coach, Deji Ayeni spoke about the importance of the tournament. 

"This is a good opportunity to blend our new and old players before the new season. The victory is good for the team.

“We knew Remo Stars has got a good squad and they also have a coach with a rich history, it was a good test for our team and the victory will motivate our work”. Deji Ayeni said. 

The tournament sponsored by Bet9ja and Value Jet is an initiative of Otunba Tade Azeez, President Nigeria Referees Association.

#DapoAbidounCup21 Day One Wrap: 3SC pips Kwara Utd as Remo Stars outclass Ottasolo FC

Shooting Stars kickstart their title defense on a winning note with a 1-0 win over Kwara United. Both sides had their chances but failed to convert in the first 45 minutes. 

Oluyole Warriors started strong in the second half and broke the dreadlock with a fine header from Malomo Ayodeji in the 47th minute. 

An entertaining affair between Gateway United and Ijebu United in a local derby which produced three goals. Ijebu claimed a 2-1 win against Gateway with all the goals coming in the first half of the game. 

Remo Stars cruised to a 2-0 win over Ottasolo FC. The sky blue stars started strong after hitting the post early in the game from a Dayo Ojo’s freekick. 

Tolulope Ojo opened scoring with a well placed shot in the 70th minute after Qudus Akanni played a fine cross from the right. Seun Ogunribide sealed the win, after scoring a sumptuous freekick in the 90th minute. 

It ended a stalemate between MFM FC and Niger Tornadoes in the last game of Matchday One. Niger Tornadoes almost claimed all three points in the final minutes of the game but a goal line clearance from Chinonso Michael ensured the match end in a draw. 

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: 

Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote spoke about the qualities of his team after their 2-0 win over Ottasolo FC. 

“We have talented, quality, and young players, we are working to make a big statement in the season. We are a work in progress. The tournament has high quality and it offers a good opportunity to continue working with the team”. 

The tournament sponsored by Bet9ja and Value Jet is an initiative of Otunba Tade Azeez, President Nigeria Referees Association.

#DapoAbidounCup21

Dapo Abiodun Cup Draw: Defending Champions 3SC rekindles rivalry with Kwara United as Ogunbote faces former club

 

Defending Champions of the Dapo Abiodun Preseason tournament, Shooting Stars sports club have been placed alongside NPFL side, Kwara United and two NNL sides, Gateway United and Ijebu United in Group A. 

Shooting Stars won the two previous editions of the tournament, and claimed the last title with a 1-0 win over Lobi Stars. The Oluyole Warriors will hope to defend their title, when they face Nigeria Professional Football League side, Kwara United, and two Nigeria National League side, Gateway United and Ijebu United in Group A. 

New coach of Remo Stars, Gbenga Ogunbote will face his immediate former side, Sunshine Stars in Group B, with two NPFL sides, MFM FC, Niger Tornadoes, and Ottasolo completing Group B. 

The opening match of the tournament, Shooting Stars against Kwara United will kickoff by 7:30am on Tuesday, 12th of October. 

Dapo Abiodun Preseason Tournament: Draw 

Group  A 

Shooting Stars

Kwara United

Gateway United

Ijebu United

Group B 

Sunshine Stars

Remo Stars

MFM FC

Niger Tornadoes 

Ottasolo FC. 

MATCHDAY ONE FIXTURES: 

Shooting Stars vs Kwara United 

Kickoff: 7-30am 

Venue: Main Bowl 

Gateway United vs Ijebu United

Kickoff: 9-30am  

Venue: Practice Pitch 1

Remo Stars vs Ottasolo FC  

Kickoff: 9-30am

Venue: Main Bowl 

MFM  FC vs Niger Tornadoes  

Kickoff: 3-30pm  

Venue: Main Bowl.

Sack rumour won't distract Shooting Stars - Rasheed Balogun

The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (3SC) has refuted a report on social media and few mushroom sports websites, that HIS Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde had ordered the club to sack one of its players. 

The blogger had on Tuesday, published a report where he allegedly claim that Adeyemi,  a son of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeniyan, was dropped from the team at the order of the Oyo State Governor.

 

Astute football administrator par excellence, Rashid Balogun 'Ekule Kule' who piloted the Oluyole Warriors to gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after it triumphs at the Nigerian National League (NNL) Super 8 play-off in Enugu, said there was no iota of truth in the report, as its cheap blackmail to rubbish the fantastic gesture by  Oyo State Government towards the club.

According to 3SC General Manager, "Football is a practical thing in all climes, you will agree with me that it's a normal routine that at the end of every football season, all positively driven clubs will take time to access the depth of their squad. 

"They look at the Key Performance Indexes (KPI) of all their players during the football calendar, those found to have recorded good KPIs will be asked to stay and begin preparations for the new season while those considered as surplus requirements would be asked to leave or rather placed on the transfer market. 

"The Oluyole Warriors management did no wrong when it asked the coaching crew to undertake such process. 

" I can authoritatively confirm to you that the said player was not dropped, the list of players dropped has not been published. The few that left the club are only those who came forward for their release papers.

People should learn how to separate sports from politics.

"It's negative for critics using Bloggers to now conclude that it was a witch hunt on the said player, then quoting that after a big wig in the state had personal issues with the Governor, so the player became the victim of the fall-out. 

"How would the Governor who works round the clock every day be keeping tabs with numerous developmental projects in the nooks and crannies of Oyo State be more interested about Shooting Stars retaining or dropping a player.

"That statement is fallacious and whoever was quoted to have said so is been petty and childish. It's not as if Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) is playing politics with the club and never has he done. 

" Shooting Stars remains a sports project of Oyo State Government and funded from taxes got from the good people of the state who are passionate and die-hard supporters of the club."

3SC signed Malomo from Joy Cometh not VIA Football Academy - Balogun

Shooting Stars Sports Club management have debunked the news making the rounds online about its midfielder, Malomo Taofeek Ayodeji been a product of VIA Football Academy.

The General Manager of the club, Rasheed Balogun has rubbished the report as he insisted that Malomo was signed by Shooting Stars from NNL side Joy Cometh.

According to Balogun, "There is no iota of truth in the report liking Malomo to VIA Football Academy.

"To put the records straight, the attacking midfielder was signed outrightly from Joy Comets before the start of the 2020/21 NNL season.

"We have all his valid documents and none showed VIA Football Academy. So where the writer of the story got his facts from I don't understand.

"For me, this is just mere distractions. I want to state clearly that Shooting Stars is not ready to negotiate with any agent or persons who wants to parade himself as representative of Malomo as the club made an outright signing of him from his parent club, Joy Cometh."

He had played for Joy Cometh for two and half seasons before moving to 3SC.

Malomo played a key role for the Oluyole Warriors in in the just concluded Nigeria National League (NNL) scoring seven goals in 20 matches.

At the NNL play-offs in Enugu, Malomo proved his worth getting the equalizing goal in 3SC 2-1 victory over perennial arch-rivals Bendel Insurance and went ahead to help his club gain promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League(NPFL) after three seasons.

Shooting Stars place 20 players on labor market

As part of its restructuring programme to immediately return Shooting Stars Football Club to the elite division of the Nigeria League, the Management of the team has released 20 players out of the 40 registered last season.

NPFL Preview: Oluyole Warriors ready to hold Scorpions

After a disappointing home draw against Plateau United last week at home, Shooting Stars will be looking for an extra push to get a decent result on the road when they visit the Pantami Stadium this weekend.

Late strike earns Shooting Stars point in Katsina

It was a fruitful return to Katsina after 19 years when Shooting Stars substitute Kolawole Olaniran scored an 84th minute header to salvage a point for the Warriors against Katsina United.

Shooting Stars, Katsina United rekindle old rivalries at Karkanda

For the first time in almost two decades, Katsina United and Shooting Stars are meeting in one of the Week Nine ties of the Nigerian Professional Football League.

Shooting Stars fill Rangers' void with Osun United friendly

As part of its preparations for the 2016/2017 Nigeria National League, Osun United Football Club will play an away friendly match against Nigeria Professional Football League side, Shooting Stars Sports Club in Ibadan on Sunday February 12, 2017.

Shooting Stars snap Rivers' sweet run

An energetic display full of verve and endeavour was all Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) required to snap the unbeaten start of Rivers United to this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). 

Rivers United hope to bounce back against Stars

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Rivers United will meet on Sunday in an intriguingly-poised Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash in Ibadan.

Shooting Stars aim full points from Rivers

It is going to be a gritty affair in the NPFL Week Six fixture as Shooting Stars Sports Club welcome the visiting Rivers United FC at the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba, Ibadan. The match is billed to commence at 4:00 pm on Sunday 5th of February, 2016.

MFM duo aims to Shoot down 3SC

The duo of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club strikers, Olatunbosun Sikiru and Adegboyega Adekunle are seeking for their first away victory of the season against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) this midweek in Ibadan.