Shooting Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote is expecting tougher challenges when the Nigeria Professional Football League resumes from the mid-season break.
The Ibadan-based club resumed training for the second stanza of the league on Monday as they attempt to build on their impressive showing in the first half of the season.
Shooting Stars finished the first half of the season in third place with 33 points from 19 games after enduring a poor start to the season.
Ogunbote revealed that the team is ready to face the challenges when the season resumes on January 19.
He said: “I think we do not need anybody to tell us that it is going to be a very tough second round, even though the first round was equally challenging.
“Our position in the first round will surely attract a lot of challenges but we have been able to tell our players and I am sure they are aware of that too. Everything we need to do is to be on our toes, to make sure that we give our best to ensure that we represent the team and the state very well.”
He also confirmed that the club is looking at signing new players to beef up the team.
Ogunbote said: “We are still on the move, and until we have the papers, we cannot yet say we have one; we are working on it, but I’m sure very soon, by this weekend, we must have gotten a few fresh legs joining the team.
“I am very happy with the turnout of the players for the resumption. Even though we are still expecting some of them, I must confess, I’m impressed with what I saw today.”
Shooting Stars will take on Kwara United on January 19 in Akure.
