Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, on Saturday at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba pipped Abia Comets of Umuahia 3-2 to make a statement about their readiness to gain promotion to the elite league this season.
As expected, the Nigeria National League (NNL) Match Day Two encoounter lived up to the billngs as both sides demonstrated the zeal to carry the day.
The Oluyole Warriors shot to the front as early as the 12th minutes when right back, Taiwo Muritala outjumped Comets defenders to head home a well taking free kick by Ayobami Junior.
Opeooluwa Olufemi produced a scintilating individual brilliance in the 27th minutes, slicing through Comets rear, before locating Gafar Olafimihan who was well positioned to put the ball beyond the reach of EruoseTega, in goal for the host.
Comets got back into game at the closing stages of the first half, hitting the back of the net to end the first half, 2-1 in favour of 3SC.
The second half was dramatic as Comets rallied back to level up, scoring the second goal through Agboola Kayode, who fought through 3SC defence before beating goalkeeper Detan Ogundare.
Both sides went in search of the winning goal but it was the Oluyole Warriors that laughed last in the 79th minutes when Opeoluwa Olufemi pounced on a rebound, off a free kick to fire home, leaving goalkeeper Tega stranded.
The win makes it two wins from two games for the Ibadan soccer lords, keeping them at the top with maximum six points.
Shooting Stars’ next fixture is a home game against South west neighbours, Osun United on Sunday.