Coach Kabiru Dogo rang the changes to great effect as Sunshine Stars recorded a famous 3-0 win over Adamawa United on a hot harmattan afternoon at the Pantami, Gombe on Sunday.
Red-hot striker, Israel Abia scored a beauty at the stroke of half-time and provided an assist for youngster, Ogunniyi ‘Omo Jesu’ before one of four debutants of the day, Sadeeq Yusuf sealed the first away win of the season for the Whales.
Dogo made four changes to the starting XI that defeated Nasarawa United on match day seven, with Seun Olulayo taking the place of Sunday Abe in the right back while Ibrahim Mustapha, Mohammed Suleiman were handed their Sunshine debuts just as Ikenna Hilary made his second coming bow.
The much-changed visitors marginally edged out the hosts in the battle to dominate territory in the opening half, but clear-cut chances were really few and far between until Waheed Adebayo delivered a well-timed cross against the run of play for Abia to head home the opener in the 44′.
Sunsbine Stars showed tactical discipline to put the homers advances in check in the second period, thanks to Jide Fatokun – Ikenna gusty midfiled display and a well organised back line marshalled by experienced warlord, Bright Akpojubweuvwo.
Despite the heightened pressure, youngster, Omo Jesu provided a two goal cushion for Sunshine Stars by finshing off calmly from a brilliantly worked out Abia’a chance in the 75′ before debutant, Yusuf fired into the bottom right to put the game to bed at the death.
The second victory in as many visits to the Pantami moved the Akure landlords into the top four of the NPFL with 14 points ahead of a match day nine derby with MFM on Thursday.
Sunshine XI Suleiman; Olulayo (C), Zikiye, Akpojubweuvwo, Abisoye ‘Mali’; Hilary, Fatokun, Mustapha (Omo Jesu 60′), Adebayo; Abia, Suleiman (Yusuf 71′)
Unused Subs Ojo; Abe, Adeyemi, Jesu, Nwankwo
Caution Suleiman 86′
