Sunshine Stars were left to rue their profligacy in front of goal as the Owena Whales returned empty from a pulsating week five NPFL contest with Katsina United on a hot afternoon at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium on Sunday.
Tasiu Lawal broke Sunshine Stars resistance in the 80′ with his fourth goal against the Owena Whales before Gambo Mohammed secured the win for the Changi Boys at the nick of time, buddling home from a square ball down the left.
Sunshine Stars out played their hosts expansively and were the stronger of the two sides in an opening half that saw some incredible missed chances.
The biggest of the failed efforts in front of goal fell to Uche Ihuarulam twice, who first received brilliantly from Waheed Adebayo in the 25′ and had his well struck effort from goalmouth agonisingly came off the work.
Ihuarulam again went close to breaking the deadlock in the 40′ by unleashing fiercely from an acute angle but, Abdullahi Boje denied him with a decisive save, while a follow up effort from the rebound was miscued by Adebayo.
The Akure landlords continued to surge forward in search of an opener and at the stroke of half time, Anthony Omaka had an effort dropped off target from just inside the area.
Sunshine Stars should have gone up five minutes into the restart when Adebayo again brilliantly carved an opening in United backline to serve Ihuarulam a big chance, the striker surprisingly found Boje unbeatable from four yards.
The homers grew back into the game and broke the deadlock against the run of play through Lawal who finshed off delightfully from a brilliant Mohammed’s move 10 minutes from time.
Veteran striker, Mohammed moved from provider to scorer in the 88′, arriving the box timely and converted expertly from Joseph Atule’s low cross to seal the win for Katsina United.
Sunshine Stars next face Akwa United at home in Akure on match day.
Dogo’s Post Match Quotes
“Its sad we lost the game because we played well, but we didn’t take our chances, Katsina converted theirs that’s why they won.
“Goal scoring remained the problem. We will work on it and get it right in our next match.”
Sunshine XI : Suleiman; Akubundu (Omo Jesu 84′), Zikiye, Abisoye, Akpojubweuvwo; Abe, Fatokun, Omaka; Adebayo, Ihuarulam (Abia 58′), Jimoh (Ekelojuoti 73′)
Caution : Abe 59′
Unused Subs : Ojo, Akande, Olulayo, Mustapha
