Goals from Chinedu Nwosu and Seth Mayi were all Sunshine Stars needed to pick maximum points against Akwa United in a Match-Day Four tie of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Sunshine Stars took the lead through Chinedu Nwosu’s who chipped the ball over oncoming Akwa United’s Goal keeper from Seth Mayi’s pass in the 20th minute.
Moment later, Chidozie Iwundu thought he had increased the Owena Whales’ lead when he scored from a rebound off Seidu Salisu’s well taken free-kick, only to have it goal disallowed for offside.
The Nest of Champions reacted swiftly to Sunshine Stars’ onslaught to get a leveller but they met the brick wall of Sunshine Stars’s defence marshalled by Iwundu, Ogechukwu Ogbu, Yusuf Olowoshile, Peace Dewan and Adamu Umar.
Sunshine Stars’ Goal keeper Emmanuel Ofori was also in his best to deal with Akwa United’s set pieces.
The host stuck to their game plan at the restart of the encounter by keeping it tight at their back line.
The trio of Nelson Osahon, AbdulAzeez Ajagbe and Adewale Yusuf were introduced to replace injured Chinedu Nwosu, Seidu Salisu and Achi Nnaemeka in the 64th minute.
The introduction of the trio paid off in the 82nd minute as midfield maestro, Seth Mayi registered his name on the score sheet after heading into the net from Ajagbe’s corner kick.
Akwa United reduced Sunshine Stars’ lead through Wisdom Udom in the 84 minute but it was too little, too late!
Sunshine Stars first Assistant Coach, Bobola Akinfolarin commended his players for their character in both halves of the encounter adding that the players played according to game plan.
According to him, “after the last match against Abia Warriors we told them to put the result of the game behind them and focus on today’s match, to God be the glory, we were able to coast home with maximum points.
“We told the players we can regain the lost points elsewhere, today’s match is done and dusted, we are now focusing on our next game, another away tie against Kano pillars in Katsina.”
The former Sunshine Stars player, also praised the organisers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for ensuring they removed the home-must-win mentality from the game.
