The resurgence continued for Sunshine Stars FC on matchday 28 of the NPFL following a 2-1 win over visiting Abia Warriors at the Ondo State Sports Complex.
Two first-half goals from Sadeeq Yusuf won Sunday’s game for the Owena Whales in the face of a tough test by the visitors.
The team was dealt with an injury blow before the game had settled, captain Sunday Abe was taken out on a stretcher with a hamstring complaint.
Despite the missing figure, there was no losing focus for the boys and they began to create scoring chances inside the opening 15 minutes.
First, Sadeeq Yusuf miscued from a chance in front of goal, before the Abia Warriors’ goalkeeper made two key saves to deny birthday boy, Ifegwu Ojukwu.
20 minutes into the encounter, Yusuf found the breakthrough for Sunshine Stars, slotting home from a failed clearance to score his 10th goal of the season.
The visitors tried to respond swiftly, but Saliu Suileiman was up to the task when he was called into action.
Injury struck again just after the half hour mark, this time, Michael Olalusi was forced off and replaced by another homegrown talent, Kazeem Obanigba.
With three minutes left in the first half, Abia Warrios drew level through Paul Samson who bundled home at the near post from a deflected ball.
Then just before halftime, hitman, Yusuf responded with another goal from Ojukwu’s pass, restoring the coach Deji Ayeni’s boys’ lead going into the break.
In the 65th minute, Obanigba almost extends the lead but his deflected effort missed the target by a whisker.
With the clock seemingly tick out slowly amid late pressure from the visitors, seeing off the contest became the task of the Akure landlords, regardless, they were able to close out the game for their second home win on the bounce.
COACH AYENI’S POST-MATCH QUOTES
“I take positive from this result; with this winning, we are going to get it right in other subsequent matches. I thank God for the clinical finish in the first half and you can see the second half was a different affair; everyone trying to play safe.
“Kwara is not new terrain for me. There is no team that invincible, we are going to work on our tactics and approach the game well.”
Sunshine Stars next visit Kwara United on matchday 29.
