NPFL: Sunshine Stars Defeat Nasarawa United 2-0 At Home

Sunshine Stars 2-0 Nasarwa United: Rejigged Stars Dispatch United By Okunnuwa A rejigged Sunshine Stars side put in a scintillating performance to secure a resounding 2-0 victory over Nasarawa United in one of the rescheduled Nigerian Professional Football League match day 23 fixtures in Akure Sunday. Coach Henry Abiodun listed five of the seven mid season's additions in the match day rooster, after Sunshine Stars' management finally secured the long-awaited licences for the new players with Kunle Odunlami and Ajibola Otegbeye involving from the start. And after a tight opening quarter of an hour, the rearranged and balanced looking home side started having a firm grip on the game, founding a breakthrough in the 28th minute through Jide Fatokun. The young midfield Trojan reacted fastest to flick past motionless United's goal keeper, Suraj Ayeleso from Seun Olulayo's free kick, with usual suspect, Sikiru Alimi adding a second late on to seal the win. The striker guided home in the 89th minute for his seventh goal of the season after connecting a floated cross down the right flank from impressive debutant, West Omodu, sending the home crowd into a wild jubilation. The win take Sunshine Stars to within a point from safety after increasing their tally to 28 from 24 matches heading into the month-long Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. A visibly satisfied coach Abiodun when faced with the media after the tie revealed what he asked of his players before the game, and appeared relief on finally being able to field his new players. "I asked the players before we came out to give yourself, myself and the state a five star performance and I think they we have done that; a clean sheet and two good goals. "Most of the clubs started using their new players from week 17, we couldn't use ours, you see the difference it made today, we finally use three (four) of them. I want to celebrate today and leave the rest till we come back from the World Cup break." Abiodun stated. On his part Nasarawa United coach, Kabiru Dogo conceded the best team of the day won while talking up his team's prospect for the remainder of the season. "Today is Sunshine Stars' day, they deserved the victory; they played better, congratulations to Sunshine Stars, congratulations to coach Henry (Abiodun) for a job well done. Am impressed with what I saw today. "The struggle continues for all the clubs including those at the top. They have not award the trophy to anyone and they have not given anybody the ticket for relegation. I believe in what I can and what my boys can do. We will do the necessary corrections and get it from our next game." Dogo scooped. Sunshine Stars XI: Moses Ocheje, Kehinde Adeyemi, Kunle Odunlami, Nojeem Raji, Seun Olulayo; Jide Fatokun, Anthony Omaka, Dayo Ojo; Ajibola Otegbeye (West Omodu 76') Sasere Franklin (Michael Egbeta 46') Sikiru Alimi Unused Subs: David Ariyo, Ezekiel Boboye, Kehinde Adedipe, Gabriel Sola Dada, Abiodun Joseph Caution: Adeyemi 39' Nasarawa United XI: Suraj Ayeleso, Abubakar Abdulahi, Emmanuel Makami, Issa Ndala, Abdulbasit shittu, Jide williams, Kabir Balogun (Babangida Hassan 79') Michael Okoyo (Idris Mayaki 55'), Zinte Udeh, Akin Douglas, Zenke Thomas (Nwani Morgan 48') Unused Subs: Danlami Umar, Manga Mohammed, Abubakar Ahmed, Victor Okor Caution:bOkoyo 27'