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.”
States
Ogun APC governorship candidate Solomon Adeola begins reelectrification of over 50 communities in Ogun Waterside
The senator said the intervention was aimed at restoring electricity to communities that had been in darkness for over a decade.
States
Oyo APC raises reconciliation committee to reconcile aggrieved members after primaries
Mr Sadare said, “It is hoped that this effort will bring about the desired peace and unity for our great party to win big at the polls next year.”
Sport
Nigerian athletes win 14 medals at CAA Region II championships
He said Nigeria’s dominance was most evident on the track, as sprinters swept several titles across the U-18 and U-20 categories.
States
Former deputy governor of Bauchi loses two children in auto crash
Mr Tela, also a former senator, lost two of his children in an accident along the Bauchi-Azare road on Saturday.
Health
Gynaecologist warns against misuse of pregnancy prevention drugs
He explained that while contraceptives effectively prevent pregnancy, each method has potential side effects and requires appropriate medical guidance.
States
Prioritise good leadership over zoning, Plateau APC chair tells residents
He said people often sacrificed good leaders at the altar of zoning arrangements.
