Sunshine Stars had a matchday 24 to forget in the 2019/20 NPFL season following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Champions, Enyimba in Aba.
The defeat has seen Sunshine Stars slipped four places to 8th on the log with 34 points from 24 matches.
Enyimba made a strong start to Sunday’s encounter, swamping the visitors’ area but were denied twice inside the opening 10 minutes by the saves of Olorunleke Ojo.
Nonetheless Martins Usule grabbed the opener for the hosts via a header from a corner kick in the 12′.
Shortly after a moment of applause was observed in honour of late Nasarawa United’s Chineme Martins, Sunshine Stars tried get the champions under cosh and in the 36′ Waheed Adebayo capped a solo run with a well drilled effort that sailed wide.
Then it could have been all squre at the stroke of half-time when Sadeeq Yusuf pulled a save from Theophilus Afelokhai with a shot inside the area, Ifeanyi Anaemena was on hand to deny Fuad Ekelojuoti a tap home from the rebound.
The Elephants had the chance to increase their tally three minutes into the restart, but Anayo Iwuala fluffed his line and miscued from a well served opportunity in front of goal.
The hosts eventually extended their lead just a little after the hour mark as Stanley Dimgba finished off from a move his former side’s felt should have been flagged offside.
In the 65′ Ojo denied his namesake and former teammate, Dayo Ojo from a well taken free kick, however the goalkeeper was left helpless when Dare Olatunji guided home from the rebound of his save in added time to close out the contest 3-0 for Enyimba.
The Akure landlords host Katsina United on match day 25.
Sunshine XI Ojo; Akobundu, Olulayo (C), Akpojubweuvwo, Akande; Hilary (Ekelojuoti 33′) Fatokun, Obanigba (Jimoh 64′), Sadeeq (Adeniji 80′); Omo Jesu, Adebayo
Subs Ayodele; Abe, Adeyemi, Adeniyi
Cautions Olulayo 30′ Akpojubweuvwo 40′ Ekelojuoti 56′
