Head coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Gbenga Ogunbote, believes his team played their hearts out after winning the maiden NPFL-DOZY Mmobuosi Super Cup pre-season tournament.
The Oluyole Warriors showed grit to overcome Enyimba 3-2 on Friday in Lagos to claim the N100m star prize.
Anthony Okachi was the match winner for 3SC as he scored a late goal to seal the frenetic game after trailing twice in the game.
Both teams had settled for a goalless draw when they met in the round-robin stage of the tournament.
Ogunbote commended his players for their fighting spirit and he’s optimistic the victory will serve as a springboard for 3SC.
“I feel good and I’m happy about it because in the first place, nobody gave us the chance. So, we didn’t just win it, we deserved it and I hope we can build on it,” Ogunbote said after the game.
Ogunbote is back in the 3SC dug out for a second spell after leading them between 2012 and 2016. He rejoined the Ibadan side after a sensational run with Remo Stars in the 2021/22 NPFL season, as he led the Ikenne side to a CAF Confederation Cup playoff spot in the league.
This time, he is fully aware of 3SC’s need to get back in the mix of challengers in the Nigerian topflight, while he is also looking forward to strong competition from other clubs.
“We have to be realistic with our targets. Last season, the team struggled, so this time around we have to be more comfortable. My target is to finish in an appreciable position and with this result, the team would have established that fact that we have something to offer, and as such, we will be looking forward to stiffer and tougher opposition when the league begins,” Ogunbote told Sunday PUNCH.
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