Veteran coach Salisu Yusuf has blasted his team Shooting Stars Sports Club 3SC’s defending in their 0-2 loss away to Kun Khalifat.
Chukwuma Agor (42′) and Uchechukwu Onuoha (62′) scored for Kun in the week 8 EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL tie played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Imo State.
Speaking post match, 3SC manager Yusuf blamed his backline for the loss.
“The opponents deserve to win, because they played better, they defended very well. But if you look at our side, we defended very poorly. And that’s why we lost the game. I just came met the team on around,” said the CHAN silver winning coach with Nigeria’s Super Eagles B.
Going forward, Coach Yusuf insisted on a comprehensive overhaul of his team’s defensive set-up.
“We have to look at the defence line, to change the whole defence line because they can’t run, they can’t defend, you understand? So it’s been very disturbing because if you cannot defend there’s no way can win the game,” the former Enyimba FC manager told Puyaka Media.
3SC dropped three places to 17th in the NFPL standings due to the loss, while Khalifat moved one spot to 17th.
Elsewhere on Sunday’s instalment of week 8 fixtures, Sporting Lagos maintained a five game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win over visiting Bendel Insurance.
Kayode Oke silenced the home crowd at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena with an 18 second goal for Insurance.
However, two rapid fire and well worked goals by Victor Clifford and Gafaar Olaniyan ensured victory for the noisy Lagosians.
Plateau United put up a sterling performance in one of Sunday’s fixtures by defeating Kano Pillars 4-0 at the New Jos Stadium.
Gbenga Ogunbote’s men began the scoring from the outset as Paul Samson put them in front in the third minute after good work from Ekundayo Ojo and Ibrahim Yahaya.
On the stroke of halftime, Ojo was at the right place and at the right time to score off Victor Dawa’s deflected corner kick.
Plateau United wrapped up the game in the final moments as Samuel Ayanrinde (82′) and Nenrot Silas (90+4′) got a goal each to put the contest to bed.
Reigning champions Rangers International salvaged a draw at Barau FC in a four-goal thriller.
Ifeanyi Okechukwu fired Rangers in front on 38 minutes before Joseph Atule (56′) and Aliyu Sugau (68′) converted penalties for Barau to turn the game around.
However, Rangers snatched a point inside stoppage time through Chidiebere Nwobodo to end the game at 2-2.
The result ensured they remain top of the standings after another matchweek.
Second-placed Rivers United kept the pace on the champions after grinding out a goalless draw at Abia Warriors.
Elsewhere, Sunday Dapman and Jofrank Istifanus scored a goal each for Nasarawa United in a 2-0 win over Doma United.
Emmanuel Aribogba netted twice for Warri Wolves in their 3-1 over Inter Lagos.
Aribogba’s 32nd minute goal was cancelled by John Danga’s strike for Inter five minutes before the break.
Aribogba netted again on 49 minutes before Sabastine Uche put the icing on the cake late in the game to earn Wolves the full points.
Week 8 hostilities kicked off with a Friday night clash in Lafia where Katsina United beat Enyimba FC 4-2.
The next day, two first half goals by Farouk Salami and Ikechukwu Emmanuel ensured Ikorodu City defeated visitors Niger Tornadoes 2-0 in Lagos .
In the second game of the day, Ranchers Bees drew goalless at home to Niger Tornadoes.
SOURCE: WORAMANGRA