Sunshine Stars return to base, defeat Rivers United
Sunshine Stars Football Club returned to their Akure base in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 1-0 defeat of visiting league leaders Rivers United on Thursday.
The match at the Ondo State Sports Complex saw the hosts ending their guests’ 12-match unbeaten run.
Leonard Ugochukwu made the difference for them in the 5th minute with a header during a goalmouth scramble arising from a corner-kick.
Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal stood firm thereafter to stop the visitors from drawing level as they quickly fought back in the first half.
The restart saw the home team wasting many goalscoring chances, while Rivers United also had several of their own thwarted by their hosts’ well-coordinated defence.
Speaking later, Sunshine Stars Chief Coach, Emmanuel Deutsch, said his team played against a strong team who came hoping for an away victory.
Deutsch said he was, however, happy that his team emerged victorious at the end of the encounter.
“We have now put this match behind us. Our focus now is on our next game against Kano Pillars,” he said. “I commend the players, though. They showed good character from the beginning to the end of the encounter.”
His Rivers United counterpart, Stanley Egunma, congratulated Sunshine Stars on the victory.
“We conceded the goal very early in the game, and we tried to score our own goal too, but we were unsuccessful. That is football for you. Sometimes you win, and some other times you lose,” he said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Health
Gynaecologist warns against misuse of pregnancy prevention drugs
A gynaecologist, Samuel Egbebi, has cautioned young women against abusing pregnancy prevention drugs, warning that it could lead to health complications
States
Prioritise good leadership over zoning, Plateau APC chair tells residents
He said people often sacrificed good leaders at the altar of zoning arrangements.
Politics
U.S. govt will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 elections: Riley Moore
“What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed,” he said.
NationWide
NAPTAN backs replacement of NYSC khaki with adire, says it supports cultural identity
“We must support the use of indigenous fabrics and discourage sectional, tribal sentiments on this proposal,” he said.
States
Zamfara will never negotiate with bandits, says Gov. Lawal
“The governor will never negotiate with bandits. Those willing to surrender should do so or face the law,” he said.
NationWide
Lawyers raise concerns over FG’s plan to scrap fines for drug offences
Their reactions followed plans by the federal government to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers.
