Shooting Stars suffered their second league defeat of the season as Rivers United edged them 1-0 in an intense NPFL clash at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
Coach Nurudeen Aweroro admitted his side battled with “pressure from all angles” but insisted the team is improving and will bounce back stronger.
Shooting Stars Boss Reflects on Rivers United Defeat
The Ibadan-based side put up a spirited fight but were undone late in the match when Friday Ubong capitalised on a defensive lapse to seal the points for the Pride of Rivers.
After the game, Coach Nurudeen addressed the performance and morale of his players, acknowledging the pressure they faced but praising their resilience.
“I don’t know what to say about the game, but I want to encourage my players to do more, all they can to manage the pressure. Pressure was coming from every corner, from different angles, but kudos to them; they managed to cope with the pressure.”
When asked if the defeat could affect the morale of his side, Aweroro remained optimistic:
“That we are yet to win a game does not dampen the morale of the team. I only observed we are getting better and better in each game, and I want to believe we can still get better.”
He noted that the league was still in its early stages and stressed that a few winless games should not define the team.
Coach Nurudeen maintained his belief that the players have the ability to improve and deliver stronger performances.
“Today shows me that the boys are getting better. We are still going to give out our best, and we’ll keep working to see how we can get better,” he said.
Godgift Elkanah’s Bright Debut for Shooting Stars
While the defeat was disappointing, one positive for the Oluyole Warriors was the debut of goalkeeper Godgift Elkanah.
The young shot-stopper impressed with a confident display, making big saves under heavy pressure.
Coach Aweroro was full of praise for his new number one, claiming he’s top-rated in the Nigeria Premier League.
“Sincerely speaking, he’s one of the best. He has the confidence, and for what he did, that’s not a new thing to me. I know the guy can do better, and I want to encourage him to do more,” he said.
Elkanah’s composure and ability between the sticks stood out, giving fans hope that Shooting Stars have found a reliable last line of defence for the NPFL season.
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