NPFL: Shooting Stars Pick Away Draw, Maintain Second Position

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) put up a brave performance to maintain their impressive run of form as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Plateau United of Jos.
The Oluyole Warriors narrowly missed making it seven straight wins as the hosts fought back to level up just a minute after the stars went ahead.
The pulsating first half of the matchday 22 encounter, played at the New Jos Stadium, saw the 3SC defensive quartet of Desmond Ojjietefian, Ayodeji Bamidele, Ikouwem Utin and Skipper Gali Falke, alongside Alex Aghahowa, complement the superlative efforts of goalkeeper Abiodun Akande.
Akpan Joshua, Daddy Abdulrahman, Tijani Kabiru, Nonso Nzediegwu and Sodiq Ibrahim led the push at the other side, with both sides unable to get the breakthrough in the first half.
The two teams upped their game in the second half with the honers coming out of their half, thus giving the Oluyole Warriors room to operate.
The coach Gbenga Ogunbote led technical crew introduced the trio Ephraim Nwachukwu, Samuel Ayanrinde, Ekeson Okorie to increase the pressure on their hosts.
After a couple of misses, the Ibadan soccer lords finally broke the deadlock through Tijani Kabiru, whose long range screamer, off a pass from Akpan Joshua, beat goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu hands down.
The ovation that greeted the goal had hardly died down when Albert Hilary levelled up for the homers.
The Oluyole Warriors were unlucky not to have reclaimed their lead as they missed glaring opportunities later on.
Plateau United then made late surge for the winning goal but the 3SC backline stood their ground, while goalkeeper Abiodun Akande made daring saves to deny the Peace Boys.
The draw ensured the Stars remain second on the league and will next Sunday, play host to Bendel Insurance in a matchday 23 fixture.