NPFL: 3SC and Akwa managers bemoan dropped points as Insurance blames loss of concentration for defeat

Shooting Stars head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote believes the team will get better with time.

The Ibadan club held Plateau United to a 1-1 draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Sunday.

Ogunbote’s side are still searching for their first win of the season.

The former Rangers and Enyimba coach pleaded for patience from supporters and fans of the club.

“Today’s game is just quite an unfortunate match. We had a lot of difficulties in terms of anxiety and all the rest of it,” he told the club’s media.

“If you look at the team, it is more or less a relatively new team and we are just trying to get ourselves, playing on the field for the first time, trying to impress our supporters”.

And Bendel Insurance has blamed the team’s defeat against Katsina United to a loss of concentration.

The Benin Arsenals suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Chanji Boys in a matchday two fixture at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium.

Azeez Falolu’s late-minute goal earned Katsina United the maximum points.

Bello Lukman had put the hosts in front before James Orasonye levelled up a few minutes later.

“Late-minute mistakes cost us,” Bendel Insurance wrote on X.

“The boys are downcast after their spirited efforts have been dashed. Let’s stand up again and move on.

Bendel Insurance has recorded one point from their two opening fixtures of the season.

Elsewhere, Kano Pillars head coach, Usman Abdallah has commended his players for the outcome of their matchday two encounter with Bayelsa United.

The Sai Masu Gida held Bayelsa United to a 1-1 draw at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

Auwalu Ali Malam and Rabiu Abdullahi netted for Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United respectively.

Abdullah stated that fatigue also played a role in the game.

“Although we were tired on the road as we did a journey of almost two days we were still able to pull up with a positive result ahead of our next game at home,” Abdallah stated in a post-match interview.

“The next target is Remo at home and it’s going to be a very tough match because they have been in the continent and have started preparation much earlier than us, but as always, I’m expecting positive results.”

Kano Pillars will square up with Remo Stars next at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in their next game.

And finally, Akwa United technical adviser, Muhammad Babaganaru has expressed disappointment with his team’s 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors.

Edidiong Eziekel’s goal from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time salvaged a draw for the Promise Keepers.

Babaganaru pointed out that despite his team’s dominance in the game, his players failed to convert their chances.

“Generally it was a bad outing for us, it’s a result that we didn’t expect and I’m very disappointed,” Babaganaru told the club’s official website.

“From my assessment, my players played very well and we dominated throughout but we couldn’t convert the many chances we created.

“Abia Warriors got their goal very early into the game and they defended very well and we tried to push for the equalizer but it wasn’t to be until the last minute of the game that we won that penalty in which Edidiong scored.

”This is the beginning of the season and we have to hit the ground running by winning games.

“We have two points from a possible six and we don’t have to wait any longer, we need to ensure we work on our scoring abilities and also redouble our effort in subsequent games as we hope for a better season ahead.”