The league table was certainly nothing to go by in the South-West derby this weekend past as relegation threatened Shooting Stars of Ibadan came to town and did the double over Mountain of Fire Ministries FC, ending their unbeaten run at home with a 1-0 victory at the Agege Township Stadium.
Ebitimi Agogo's 83rd minute goal for 3SC wasn't the only taking point as centre referee, Alaba Abiodun’s officiating also came under scrutiny from the home section causing angry fans to invade the pitch. With play delayed, it took the intervention of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and security men at the Agege stadium to calm the nerves of the enraged supporters.
However, the ugly incident over-shadowed the impressive display of the Ibadan warlords, most especially since the return of Coach Gbenga Ogunbote. It has been back to back victories for the team who only weeks ago looked like it was destined for the lower rungs of domestic football.
A hard fought 1-0 over mighty Enyimba at the Adamasingba Stadium two weeks ago perhaps spurred the team to win its first away game of the season against MFM FC. The return of Ogunbote certainly has its effect written all over the performance and it has lifted the moral of the Oluyole Warriors.
Shooting now find themselves two places above the relegation zone and can now heave a sigh of relief- at least for now. The performance certainly good but should not cast a shadow over how difficult the rest of the task would be.
Next in line is a home fixture against FC Ifeanyi Ubah and though 3SC would be playing home, it is going to be a feisty game against a team that dismissed second logged Rivers United 2-0 on Sunday.
Mitko Dobrev’s team is on full throttle and would not hesitate to brush aside 3SC away from home if they don’t once again raise their game.