Tag: pleased

Sunshine Stars pair of Prince Aggreh and Dayo Ojo have told supersport.com that they are happy to see their club react in barnstorming fashion to keep their Glo Premier League title chase alive.

Last Sunday, it looked all but over for the Akure club when they suffered a 2-3 home loss to Nasarawa United – their first home loss in the top flight in six years.

But Aggreh and Ojo now believe that their club have now thrown their hat in the ring following their 2-1 success at Kwara United on Saturday, which meant Sunshine Stars climb to third and reduced the points difference between them and table-topping Enyimba to five.

“It was a good result for us because many people had written us off in the title race after losing 3-2 at home to Nasarawa United last week. We just needed to come up with a good result. The first half was not the best but it is a good feeling to come back in the second half and score two goals, and also defend that lead,” said Aggreh, whose brace of assists set up Ojo and Sunday Emmanuel for Sunshine Stars’ goals.

Scorer of Sunshine Stars’ equaliser, Ojo, told supersport.com: “Honestly it was a difficult game. Since playing for Sunshine Stars we have never won in Ilorin but to do so now will give us confidence going into our next game. For now, the title race is still open and we still have a good chance like the other top teams too.”

The Akure club have now trimmed Enyimba’s lead at the top to five points, but the table-toppers will go up against El-Kanemi Warriors at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina.

Sunshine Stars currently sit in third place with 50 points and will play hosts to Abia Warriors on match day 31.

Former Sharks and Nasarawa United midfielder, Kelly Kester has expressed satisfaction after making his debut for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Sharks.

Kester was a second half substitute for injured Fuad Ekelojuoti.

“I’m delighted to make my debut for 3SC after all the delay since leaving Nasarawa United. 3SC is a big team and I want to contribute my quota to the development of the club. Having made my debut as a substitute, my immediate task is to work harder to secure a place in the starting XI”, kester told supersport.com.

Kelly started the 2014/15 season at Nasarawa before his romance with 3SC.

League champions, Kano Pillars got a vital away point after holding Abia Warriors to a goalless draw in a week five Glo League match at the Umuahia Stadium on Sunday.

The Masu Gida continued their impressive form from where they stopped on Wednesday when they defeated Warri Wolves 2-0 at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari.

In a highly tactical encounter, both sides failed to find the back of the net after several attempts at outplaying each other.

Interestingly, former Kano Pillars coach Ladan Bosso was in charge of Abia Warriors.

Pillars’ media officer, Idris Malikawa commended his wards’ fighting spirit against the home side.

He reiterated the team’s readiness to reclaim the league table and go ahead to win the title again. He also singled out the team’s goalkeeper Afelokhai Theophilus for his outstanding display during the match. Theophilus scored the team’s first goal against Warri Wolves last week via a spot kick.

“I told you before the game that we were in Umuahia to pick a point and we’ve achieved that now. The thing is now taking shape for us now and we are heading to where we belong now,” Malikawa told SportingLife.

“I have to commend our players for the way they played today. They were marvelous in all aspects. Our goalkeeper Theophilus was outstanding for his performance; I can pick him as the Man of the Match. We never doubted the ability of the team despite our shaky start to the league. We have confidence in the team now.”

Malikwa expressed confidence that the team will return to winning ways when they host FC Taraba in their next game on Friday.

“It is a winning situation in the team now because confidence is very high in the team. We will continue to support them.”

Striker, Omo Johnson is pleased to have hit his first goal for three-time Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Dolphins following his mid-season switch from Warri Wolves.

The attacker scored on Saturday as Dolphins beat ABS FC 2-0 at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium. It was his first goal on his third start for his new club.

Johnson began his professional education at Ocean Boys in 2007 and helped the Yenagoa club emerge as Cup champions in 2008.

“Those were heady days and I recall how well our coach, Evans Ogenyi made us play. No one expected us to win the Cup but we proved our mettle,” he told supersport.com.

In 2009, Johnson decided to walk away from the beautiful game as he sought to pursue the golden fleece in Russia. A blossoming expedition into Russia’s academic community was rudely cut short by illness and homesickness and he was forced to abandon the lofty project.

“I wanted to pursue an academic career in Russia but things did not go too well for me. The language was a serious barrier for me. I also fell seriously ill. I had to return to Nigeria,” he said.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, he teamed up with the then second tier Akwa United and helped the club gain promotion to the NPL. He joined Wolves at the start of the 2012/13 season before teaming up with Dolphins soon after.

“Life in Port Harcourt has been good for me so far. I have played three games and the fans have treated me really well. I was pleased when I scored (on Saturday). That goal was for them. It’s been a good experience so far and I would like to help the club win the (NPL) title again this year,” he said.

Dolphins currently occupy the third spot on the latest standings with 36 points from 23 matches.

Warri Wolves defender, Thankgod Ike has expressed joy at the completion of his move to Libyan club, Al-Ittihad. The centre-half sealed a two-year deal with the Tripoli-based club on Tuesday and will be joining his new teammates in Tripoli next week.

The former Heartland defender has now spoken about his delight on learning about the move and what he intends to achieve following the switch.

“It was a dream to learn about it. I am happy to be taking my talents to the Libyan league and I will be a good ambassador for the country,” he told supersport.com.

Meanwhile, Warri Wolves have revealed that the deal has not yet been completed. Secretary of the club, Lawrence Omowho explained that Ike has been given permission to travel to Libya but revealed that the deal will only be officially ratified “after certain things are done.”

“We (Warri Wolves) still have his international transfer certificate and that will only be released to Al Ittihad after certain things are done by them,” he said.

Al Ittihad have won the Libyan Premier League title a record 16 times and the Cup a record six times.