Birthday Boy On Matchday, Sadeeq Yusuf scored the only goal as Sunshine Stars continued their AITEO Cup 2021 assault with a quarterfinal victory over defending champions, Kano Pillars at the Confluence Stadium, Friday.
Following an eventful opening 45 minutes that saw a couple of missed chances at both ends, Yusuf hit the Sai Masu-Gida with a composed finish into the bottom right from Habib Yakub’s ball three minutes into the restart.
He almost grabbed a second and take his joint tally for the season to 14 moments later, but his effort off Kolade Adeniji’s through ball drifted wide agonizingly.
Good defensive organization supplemented by efficient team display ensured the Deji Ayeni tinkered side see out the contest in a comfortable fashion.
AYENI’S POST-MATCH QUOTES
“Like I always say no team that is not beatable; it’s a matter of mindset, the approach, and discipline. Kano Pillars are a very good team but today I say the best team won. Now, who says we can’t win the competition?
“I want to encourage the Ondo State people, particularly our government to continue rallying around the team because we cannot do it in isolation; we need the support of the technocrat and stakeholders in the state to push us to the final.”
The Owena Whales will next battle Nasarawa in Nigeria’s oldest football competition, with the NPFL matchday 35 game involving the sides a worthy dress rehearsal for the AITEO Cup semifinal face-off.
