Coach Gbenga Ogunbote has formally staged a comeback as head coach at the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).
The former Sharks and Sunshine Stars coach resigned his position at NPFL expelled side, Giwa FC on Wednesday.
An official of the Ibadan landlords, Jubril Arowolo said the former tactician is quite excited to be back at 3SC and has assured a turnaround in the fortune of the side in the second stanza of the ongoing top-flight.
“Gbenga Ogunbote is fully in Ibadan right now (Thursday), he arrived in Ibadan last night (Wednesday), visited the camp and will commence training with the side in the afternoon (Thursday).
“Ogunbote is 100 per cent back to 3SC to take the side throughout the remainder of the second stanza of the season.
He said it’s good and happy to be back to 3SC as he appreciated the yearnings of the side’s teeming supporters to have him back.
“The coach said he was nicely treated at Giwa FC but have to leave the Jos Elephants because of the present circumstance.
“Ogunbote admitted that he joined the side the last time at week 11 and now he is joining the Ibadan side in week 20 insisting that it’s rather challenging and tougher right now than previously.
“However, he insisted that same God that saw the side through from its difficulties will surely do it again.
“He hopes with the support of everybody the seemingly difficult situation will be softer in no distant time.
“He charged the players to be disciplined and work even harder as management has assured to promptly attend to the needs of the team.
“Ogunbote said 3SC are still formidable but added that some players will have to make way for new players aimed at fortifying the team for the challenges ahead.
“He assured 3SC will compete favourably as well as take their pride of place in the top-flight,” said Arowolo to supersport.com.
Ogunbote’s first assignment in-charge of the Oluyole Warriors will be the Sunday’s NPFL matchday 20 clash Akwa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. 3SC ended the first stanza campaign on the 18th position on the log with 17 points.
Meanwhile, 3SC striker, Najeem Olukokun is confident that will beat the drop in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this term.
The Ibadan club have struggled to sew up a consistent run including losing twice at home to Lobi Stars (0-1) and Warri Wolves (1-2) but Olukokun told supersport.com that they cannot afford to slip up again when the second round of the season starts this weekend.
“It has not been the best of season for us,” began Olukokun while speaking to supersport.com. “But we know we have to keep fighting because we cannot allow 3SC to be relegated this season.”
However, the striker acknowledged that the route to the club’s survival will not be easy having found themselves in the deep end of the NPFL standings.
The former Kwara United man said: “To be honest it will not be easy because every team wants to pick points in the second round. So we will do our best and hopefully we can win enough points to stay in the league for another season.”
