Allen May Rejoin Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars of Ibadan returned to winning ways over the weekend, following a 1-0 victory over Enyimba of Aba in a Week 19 fixture of the Nigeria Premier League. Jubril Arowolo, Media Officer of 3SC speaks on the performance of the club in the first stanza of the season, and Coach Festus Allen suspension and other issues

How would you rate the performance of 3SC Football Club of Ibadan in the first stanza of the Nigeria Premier League?

Our performance in the first round of the season is not too encouraging but I believe we will soon get out of the crisis. We have identified the problem facing us and we are ready to tackle it squarely .

A lot of 3SC fans say lack of quality players is responsible for the poor run?

I don’t think our problem is lack of good players. Sunshine FC who are currently in CAF Champions League are not doing well in the league. Can we say the Akure-based club do not have good players? When the League started, Gombe FC were leading the table but today they are now in the middle of the table. I think 3SC will be better in the second standard.

Are you going to recruit new players to fortify the team ahead of the second stanza?

I think the coaching crew will decide on that. I am not a coach but all I know is that 3SC won’t be relegated at the end of the season.

Recently, 3SC management suspended Festus Allen for not living up to expectations of the club, what is Allen’s fate now?

As far as I am concerned Allen is not sacked, he has one year contract with the club. Allen is part of 3SC because he is still enjoying the club’s benefits.

Are you saying that Allen will come back?

Allen may come back if the management decides to bring him back. He has not been sacked, the management just told him to step aside for now.

It took 3SC a long time before they could beat Enyimba FC in Saturday’s Nigeria Premier League match despite the home support, what is your take on this?

Enyimba FC are a good side and a match between 3SC and Enyimba in the league is always tough. I didn’t expect an easy match, but thank goodness that we got the winning goal through Mutiu Adegoke

—Sunday Akintoye, Ibadan