Following the sack of Phillip Boamah at Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Monday, Naijaligue.blogspot.com reflects back from when the Ghanaian took charge at the club before the start of the 2009/2010 campaign.
* August 11 – Former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) player and coach, Phillip Boamah, appointed as the club’s new head coach. General Manager of the club, Mutiu Adepoju, broke the news. Boamah replaces Franklin Howard who was relieved of his duties as head coach with effect from July 31, 2009.
*August 12 –Boamah expressed his delight at being appointed the club's new coach. He said: "For me it's like a welcome back home sort of thing. I am very happy and excited to be returning to the club that made me as a player. I wish to thank the management, staff and loyal supporters of the club for giving me the mandate to be the new chief coach of this illustrious team. In turn I promise to do my very best to ensure that 3SC regains its rightful place not only in Nigeria but in Africa ."
*August 15 – Boamah officially meets the club’s players and backroom staff during a training session in Eruwa. Adepoju did the formal introduction and seized the opportunity to call on everyone associated with the club to work hand in hand towards the realization of a common dream.
*August 30 – The Ghanaian coach missed the club’s first pre-season game to Kwara United, which it lost by 1 – 2 at the Ilorin Township Stadium. But he said: “I did not travel with the team but I learnt that the boys played very well and could have earned a better result.”
*September 3 – The Shooting Stars’ coach is confident that his side can make a good impact in this season’s Premier League and spoke on the expected arrival of Kabiru Alausa “We are still trying to figure out the best way to use him because, I think he’s a massive player for us, highly experienced and invaluable,” said Boamah. “Well, so far so good, but am very optimistic that we are going to have a strong team in place, a team that will be capable of making a good showing in the league. For now we are trying to find our rhythm. A couple of friendly matches more and we shall be ready.”
*October 23 – In spite of his team’s precarious position in Week 5 of the Premier League, Boamah assured that there was no cause for panic. 3SC had lost by a lone goal to Sunshine Stars in Akure. He assured: “The defeat by Sunshine Stars has come and gone, although we could have earned a better result if the referee had been fair. But all the same we are ready to pose an even bigger challenge when the league restarts next month.”
*November 18 – Finally Boamah’s men return to winning ways with a stunning 3-1 triumph over visiting Kaduna United in a Week Six Premier League tie decided at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. A brace in the opening half from Hakeem Adebisi and a third by Tope Orelope late in the second half secured the club’s biggest win of the season.
*November 23 – The club suffers a 0 – 2 defeat in the hands of Lobi Stars in a Week Seven Premier League game at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. Blessing Okardi’s free kick and Yannick Kanu’s close range finish ensured that Boamah and his team returned to Ibadan
*November 28 – After his side’s goalless draw at home to Ocean Boys, Boamah turned on the players and lamented that they quality in the squad. He said: “First of all let me admit that Ocean Boys are a good side. Everyone felt the tension, and I particularly feel bad not getting the three points at stake. I am sad because our position (on the Premier League table) is bad. In a situation whereby your players cannot transform chances into goals, you have to pay the price. I inherited 25 players during our build up for the new season, but these players are not of premiership standard. However, we have mapped out plans to do something about the situation when the time comes.”
*December 12 - Boamah gets a lifeline, as his team gets an impressive 0 – 0 draw at Kwara United in a Week 10 game. It was 3SC’s first draw in four away matches following previous defeats to Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Lobi Stars.
*December 16 – Apparently due to Boamah’s complaint about lacking quality players, the club confirmed the signing of two strikers to boost its attack. David Abidoye and Uchenna Nwofor were brought in from Lobi Stars and Anambra Pillars respectively.
*December 19 – There was no doubt that Boamah pressed the panic button the moment his side lost to Sharks Football Club by 0 – 2 in Port Harcourt by saying that “for us the situation is distressful. We have gone five straight games without scoring a single goal. This is not good for our image as former champions of the continent. We are aware of the negative impact our present position can have on us as a team, and this we are determined to reverse.”
*December 28 – He is shown the exit door. He lasted four months and 21 days in the saddle as Shooting Stars’ head coach
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