Dogo rues bad luck for draw against Insurance

By Taofeek Babalola

Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Kabiru Dogo has blamed Thursday's 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance on bad luck, saying his players tried their best, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports. 

Anthony Omaka's first league goal for Sunshine Stars earned the Akure Landlords a share of the spoils with Bendel Insurance in a Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 9 contest at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.

Dogo, who appeared not satisfied with the outcome of the game, commended his players for their efforts before urging the referees to continue with what he called 'the good job' in the new season.

"The boys played one of their best games today, though we are not just able to get the necessary result. For me the boys have tried and they played to my instructions, we were not lucky.

"Let the referees just continue like this; let them continue the good job. We believe if things continue like this we can pick our results outside too. Congratulations to Insurance," Dogo said.

After a minute silence was observed in honour of the late Nigeria footballing icon, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi the fans had barely settled in for Thursday's spectacle when debutant, Akeem Audu had the ball in the net for the hosts, but the goal was chalked off for offside.

During a tight and lively early exchanges the custodian of goal at the other end, David Ariyo was also called into action to keep out a dangerous Kalu Moses' free kick for Insurance.

Six minutes later Dayo Ojo drew a save from David Balde with a header, while Fuad Ekelojuoti had a goal-bound effort repelled in front of goal in the 36th minute as the Owena Whales continued to lay siege to the visitors' area.

Ojo went close to breaking the deadlock for the Kabiru Dogo's charges at the stroke of halftime, but the midfield maestro's shot heading for the top corner was agonisingly stopped by the woodwork.

Three minutes after the restart Walbe denies Peter Ibe with a diving save, while Ariyo responded with another save of his own to keep out a glancing header from point blank.

Ekelojuoti had another chance to add to his impressive four goals haul in the new season on the hour mark, but his miscued effort from goalmouth dropped wide.

In the 63rd minute the Benin Arsenal broke the deadlock through Moses who was set up to fire home from a loose ball in front of goal to the delight of the travelling fans.

However second half substitute, Omaka returning from a game suspension cancelled out the visitor's advantage with his debut goal for Sunshine Stars, off a Jide Fatokun's assist 15 minutes from time.