Sunshine Stars put up a valiant display against Enugu Rangers, to come away with a share of the spoils in Satuday’s NPFL meeting at the Awka City Stadium.
In an opening half that saw few clear-cut chances our goalkeeper, Mustapha Lawal kept out the Flying Antelopes with a fine save after seven minutes.
Then, defensive mainstay, Anthony Anioke timed his tackle to perfection to stop the hosts in their tracks inside our area at the stroke of half time.
After the break, Ossy Martins dragged wide, off a chance at goal mouth, before substitute, Chigozie Chilekwu drilled wide from an opening around the edge at the other end.
Our boys continue to enjoy a good run in the minutes leading to the hour mark, and we almost found a way through as Jide Jimoh was released after a sweeping team move, but his effort got smothered by Seidu Mutawakilu at close range.
Moment later, the lanky forward went close to getting a reprieve for his denial, but his glancing header off a corner kick was repelled by the goalkeeper again.
As the game approached the home stretch, Rangers surged forward and picked out Shedrack Asiegbu with a cross in the area, but he volleyed off the mark to our relief.
Neither side could conjure a match winning moment as the contest ended in similar fashion as their first stanza meeting in December, 0-0.
POST MATCH PRESSER
Coach Emmanuel Deutcsh of Sunshine Stars faced the media after the game and his words were transcribed below by SSFC Media.
“Very very good game! You know Rangers collected one point in the first stanza and in the second round we have to collect same, nothing to say about it. The game was very good, Rangers is a very good team; strong in the midfield. We had to contain them and not allow them to do what they want to do.
“In football you can not say what you want to do because the opponents will come with their target; Rangers prepared well and we came with our own target. Now we are going home, but football do not really know home or away.”
The Akure landlords remain sixth on the log with 33 points from 23 outings and host table toppers, Rivers United on matchday 24.
