Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC on Sunday in Ilorin bounced back from its 3-0 loss to Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Wednesday to beat visiting Shooting Stars Sport Club (3SC) of Ibadan 2-0.
The match day 5 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter was decided at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
The Saraki Boys began the game brightly from the blast of the referee's whistle mounting serious pressure on the defence of the Oluyole Warriors.
The duo of Adeshina Gata and Chigozirim Metu were handful for the Fatai Amoo tutored side.
The consistent pressure on the Oluyole Warriors defence almost gave ABS FC the lead in the 24th minute when Suraj Sodiq fouled Metu in the box and the centre referee wasted no time by pointing to the spot kick.
Metu had picked up a pass from the left flank of ABS, drove towards Sodiq, dribbled the former Nigeria U-20 defender before he brought him down.
There was however, confusion among the ABSFC players resulting in who to take the penalty, but Adeshina Gata showed confidence by coming forward to take it but Uweru Michael in 3SC's goal was well positioned to safe the penalty.
The Saraki Boys however, did not relent in ensuring a victory over the Oluyole Warriors as Mohammed Mohammed beat other 3SC defenders inside the box to tap home the first goal of the day in 39th minute.
The former Heartland FC of Owerri striker had capitalized on a defensive error to score his third of the season for ABSFC.
The hosts returned for the second half just the way they ended the first but the Ibadan based side were unlucky in front of goal with their scanty chances.
The duo of Chinedu Ajanah and Ernest Governor were hard knots for 3SC to crack as they were resilient throughout the duration of the game.
Samuel Oyedeji quick play from a foul on Metu found Chukwuebuka Anaekwe and the left full back made no mistake to score the second of the game in the 52nd minute.
Suraj Sodiq had again brought down a turbo charged Metu inches away from the middle of the pack, but Oyedeji saw an unmarked Anaekwe and launched the ball unto path, which the defender quickly tapped home before 3SC could pick themselves together.
The win takes the Saraki Boys to the 3rd position from the 6th it occupied before the match day five and has garnered 10 points from a possible of 15 with 3 wins, one draw and a loss.
ABS FC will lock horns with Kano Pillars on Sunday at the Sanni Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata for match day 6.
The Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na'Allah was the Special Guest of Honour for the match day 5 encounter.
Speaking after the game, 3SC coach, Fatai Amoo, said despite four points from possible 15, he is not under pressure at his job.
He explained that being under pressure means to have died before death itself.
"I am not under pressure but I want to see how we can improve our performances.
"We still have lots of work to be done, we will go back home, analyze today's mistakes and see how we can be better" Amoo said.
His ABS FC counterpart, Henry Makinwa, said his boys played to his instructions but not happy because of the scoreline which he believed should have been more than just 2-0.
The former Real Socicdad of Spain attacker, was most delighted that the match day 6 games were postponed till Sunday.
"If we continue the way we started the season, you can't get the best out of the players.
"3SC is a good side with lots of experienced players, they stopped us from scoring more because we wanted more goals"
"We want to improve our game every time we stepped into the pitch and in training" Makinwa said.
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