By Ime Bassey

Shooting Stars yesterday survived relegation from the Nigerian Premier League by defeating Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan in the last game of the season.

The goal came in the 8th minute by Raheem Owolabi who dribbled passed one of Lobi centre-backs before slotting home the only goal of the encounter.

Shooting Stars missed many scoring chances in the first half which led to a coalition of its striker and the Lobi goalkeeper Akombo Terhemem in the Lobi eighteen yard box. Terhemem was substituted immediately by Tarkah malai in the 32nd minute of the first half.

Lobi took total control of the second half which led to the Oluyule Warriors fans booing its player’s lacklustre performance.

Speaking to Journalist after the encounter, coach of the Ibadan side, Fatai Amao, expressed delight over his team’s victory and stay in the elite league but lamented his wards inability to score goals.

“I am happy that finally we can go back and plan properly for next season having seen our short comings today which was goal scoring. The major thing has been done and I want to thank the players, management, the Commissioner of Sports and the entire fans for their support.

We hope to bounce back better coming season as we would have settled all the issues
affecting the team,” Coach Amao said.

On his part, the General Manager of visiting Lobi Stars, Samuel Aindigh voiced his joy on the Susuam boys staying in the league despite playing all its games outside Makurdi. He also stated that his lads gave a good account of themselves despite losing by a lone goal.

“We played well today even though we lost. You could see that the home fans were praising us at some point of the game.

The entire Lobi Stars management is happy that we did not suffer any casualty in the league despite us playing all our games our Makurdi because of the reconstruction of the Apa Aku Stadium,” Aindigh said.