Sunshine Stars visit Kwara United for a clash that has the hallmark of a great spectacle as the Nigerian Professional Football League finally returns after more than seven months off.
Coach Kabiru Dogo leads Sunshine Stars into the future with a renewed hope of glory heralded by a second preseason cup success at the Governor Nyesom Wike Unity Cup in Portharcourt during the yuletide.
With the pre-season victories excitement now largely replaced with high expectations ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, the Akure Landlords seek victory on Sunday to lay a marker for a possible new era under their new gaffer on his coming.
The former ABS FC coach who enjoys some cult followership in Ilorin where he hailed, is not getting carried away by the preparatory games victories though, before talking up the significance of the tie at the Kwara State Sports Complex.
“We thank God for the two pre-season trophies, but now we want to start the league in a positive way. The game against Kwara United is very important to me, also important to Sunshine Stars,” Dogo posited to Sunshine Stars Media during the closed camping in Ibadan ahead of the league opener.
Most Recent Meetings
The two sides last met in the league last May with a rejuvenated coach Abubakar Bala tutored Kwara United side fighting to a rare 2-2 stalemate in Akure, a game that saw two beautiful Sunday Emmanuel’s free kick goals for Sunshine. The midfielder has since joined United in the off season.
Sunshine Stars pipped the Harmony Boys 1-0 in the Gold Cup final in their second 2018 clash at the Ondo State Sports Complex in November as there was no return leg meeting last campaign in Ilorin due to the premature conclusion of the championship.
However, the Kwara State Sports Complex has proven to be a good hunting ground for the Akure Landlords in recent years, evidenced in their last two visit victories; 2-1 win over the Harmony Boys in 2015 and 4-2 win against ABS FC in 2017.
