Sunshine Stars eased to a 3-1 win over Heartland in an NPFL Matchday 16 tie at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, thanks to Leonard Ugochukwu’s brace and Temitope Vincent’s late strike.
Ugochukwu picked up his game from where he left it the last time at home, banging in the opener for the Owena Whales and his fifth of the season as early as the second minute of the midweek contest.
Unsettled by the early advantage and pressure, the visitors lost rhythm and the lead was eventually doubled just after the half hour mark through same man, Ugochukwu.
Not done yet in the first half, the boys further carved their opponents but goalkeeper Femi Thomas was on hand to deny Ajagbe before Kaleijaye flicked to the side-nettig from a potential Ugochukwu’s assist.
The second 45 minutes was more about maintaining the lead while preventing the Naze Millionaire from having a way back.
As the game went home, Nonso Nzediegwu pulled one back for the Solomon Onuh tutored side, off a rebound to spark a sense of comeback with 11 minutes left on the clock.
Four minutes later, Ebonam Nwogbaga relased Ugochukw with an eye-catching pass but the later could not complete his hattrick and put the game to bed after fluffing his line in front of goal.
There was still some bullet left in the tank of the Deji Ayeni side as second half substitute, Temitope Vincent finally restored the two-goal cushion with a composed finish and took the game home 3-1 in added time.
The Akure landlords climbed a place to eight on the log with the win and next face Remo Stars in a renewed Southwest Derby at Ikene on Matchday 17.
Sunshine XI Kayode; James, Chilekwu, Sholumade, Uzoechi; Bello, Cooper, Ajagbe; Hadi (Vincent 70′), Kalejaiye (Nwogbaga 70′), Ugochukwu
Unused Subs Lawal; Abe, Dauda, Adeyemi, Nwaiwu, Omowanle, Awosanmi
Caution Ugochukwu 55′
