3SC and Gombe United managers outline their challenges

The managers of NPFL sides 3SC and Gombe United have outlined the challenges their teams are facing.

3SC manager Gbenga Ogunbote said his team needed to improve on both their defending and goal-scoring.

Ogunbote, while speaking during post-match interviews after their match with visiting Gombe United Football Club, said it was worrisome they have conceded four goals in the three matches played so far.

3SC won 2-1 in the Match Day 3 fixture of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

Ogunbote noted that their current low position on the league table was a result of goals conceded because the team had the same points as another team occupying the third position.

The Oluyole Warriors’ coach added that the team’s technical crew would give adequate attention to the goal-scoring abilities of their players.

“We are seriously working to remove the challenges of goals scoring in the team. This has been a perennial issue and it is not particular with the Shooting Stars alone.

“We will continue to work on this until we get it right,” he said.

Reviewing the team’s encounter with Gombe United, Ogunbote said the game was a difficult one which no one expected victory to come out of.

“They came last season and we defeated them 3-0. I think they came today to take revenge.

“The way we started our game today, just like our first match, we noticed anxiety in the team because everybody wanted to score.

“The moment our players or team cannot calm down, it robs the team of the opportunity to get it.

“Our next game against Akwa United is another big game for us, more importantly, they just drew their last home match. They may want to come out strong against us.

“All we need in that game is a level playing ground, as we are prepared to come out strong.

“In addition to our preparations, we also need good officiating, especially at away matches,” he said.

Also, Gombe United’s Head Coach, Baba Ganaru says his team is still in their remodeling period in spite of stretching to their limits at the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Sunday.

Ganaru, while speaking during the post-match press conference, after the match, said the Gombe United team were assembled just eight weeks earlier.

“I joined the team two weeks before the commencement of the league and all players had left the team. It only had just three goalkeepers and on-field four players.

“We also didn’t have time to play a lot of pre-season and trial matches,” he said.

 The coach however stated his appreciation of his players’ efforts during Sunday’s game.

“The team is new, and I believe the team is improving as we proceed in the league.

“We will then take every game as it comes and we are not leaving any stone unturned in our preparations against Bendel Insurance in our next match,” he said.

Ganaru however restated the need for good and quality officiating in both home and away matches so as to take the Nigerian league to enviable heights.

“The match officials are not helping matters when it comes to away league matches in Nigeria.

“Poor officiating is making players and fans lose trust and believe there is no credibility in our local league.

“Because of poor officiating, especially in away matches, players always don’t give their best. Some of them will not want to take risks, while some exhibit panic,” he said.