NPFL: Gbenga Ogunbote lauds players’ fighting spirit in away win over Kano Pillars

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Technical Adviser of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), admitted his players started poorly against Kano Pillars but hailed their fighting spirit in historic triumph at Kano Pillars on Monday.

The Ibadan soccer lords conceded an early first-half goal but the Oluyole Warriors came back to turn things around in the second half in Kano to win 2-1.

Ogunbote, who is also fondly called ‘Oracle” said his team tried to manage the game which resulted in the victory, while the former Rangers handler lauded his boys for coming back stronger.

“I have to give it to the Almighty God and at the same time appreciate the players. We started poorly because fatigue set in on the players,” Ogunbote told media.

“We left Ibadan on Saturday and we didn’t get here until Sunday night because our vehicle developed fault. So you expect fatigue to set in.

“We just tried to manage the game in the first 45 minutes and in the second half, I think the boys were able to exhibit what they should have done in the first half.”

On the next game against second-placed Lobi Stars, the ex-Sunshine Stars gaffer watered down the threat of Lobi Stars’ coach Eugene Agbagbe, describing his boastings as a mind game.

“Well, football is a mind game, football is played on the field, not on print, he has the reasons to blow hot, if you look at his position on the table, so if you were in his shoes, wouldn’t you do such a thing?”, asked the ex-Lobi Stars’ boss.

The Ibadan-based side sits in the sixth position on the log with 46 points, three points behind Remo Stars which occupy the last spot for continental football.