Two first half goals by Jide Fatokun and and Anthony Omaka were enough to secure a 2-0 win for Sunshine Stars over FC Ifeanyiubah Sunday, ending the first half of the season in the top four of the NPFL log.
Coach Kabiru Dogo rang few changes to his side, with goalkeeper David Ariyo earning his first nod of the season, Kehinde Adeyemi returned to back four to pair Bright Akpojubvevo just as Silas Nwakwo was from the start to lead the attacking line.
Sunshine Stars took the game to their opponents from the get go with Wasiu Jimoh and Silas Nwakwo testing Yusuf Babangida in their opponents goal area with ambitious efforts.
Twenty six minutes into the game, the breakthrough eagerly awaited by the Ondo State Sports Complex crowd came through a mainstay in the midfield, Jide Fatokun.
The tennacious midfielder who has featured in all minutes for his side so far this season rose high to head home from a Wasiu Jimoh’s corner kick after Nwakwo and Fuad Ekelojuoti were denied in quick succession from an initial corner kick.
Three minutes later, Omojesu Ogunniyi went close but Babangida made another superb save to deny Sunshine Stars a second goal.
On the half hour mark, there was no disappointment for Omaka who got Sunshine Stars the second goal and his fifth of the season by heading from Ebuka Akobundu’s corner kick.
The two-goal cushion was the very least Sunshine Stars deserved with a vintage display full of verve and show of class heading into the break.
After the restart, the Dogo led side remained irrepressible, yet missed a number of scoring chances to increase the tally.
At the other end, Ariyo David was also kept busy by their opponents who made attempts to get back into the game.
However, there was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the second forty five minutes, and the two first half goals were enough for Sunshine Stars to claim maximum points in their last game of the first stanza.
The Akure landlords moved up a place to fourth on the table with 30 points and will next turn visitors of their Sunday’s guests at the Fortress, Nnewi on match day 20.
Sunshine XI Ariyo (C); Akobundu, Olulayo, Akpojubweuvwo, Adeyemi; Fatokun, Omaka, Ekelojuoti (Adejubu 77′), Omo Jesu; Jimoh (Adebayo 88′), Silas (Ihuarulam 70′)
Subs Suleiman, Abe, Abisoye, Sadeeq
Caution Fatokun 70′
Goals Fatokun 24′ Omaka 30′
