The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sunshine Stars

  • NPFL: Sunshine, Plateau United  share spoils in four-goal thriller

    NPFL: Sunshine, Plateau United  share spoils in four-goal thriller

    Sunshine Stars  and  Plateau United  yesterday  played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League season at the former’s  adopted  home ground at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

    Vincent Temitope drew the first blood for the visitors in the ninth minute but Stephen Chukwude equalised for the Owena Whales exactly nine minutes later.

    Read Also: Heartland vs. 3SC: NFF suspends two over controversial officiating

    Plateau United went ahead again through Sabbath Mancha in the 30th  minute before Anthony Nwadioha’s buried the ball into his own net in the 66th  minute for the leveller. It was how the game ended.

    Sunshine Stars who are still 18th  on the log with 33 points will visit Benin City for a date with Bendel Insurance while Plateau United will host Kano Pillars in Jos with their sights on improving better than their 15th  spot with 35 points.

  • JUST IN: Sunshine Stars sacks coach

    JUST IN: Sunshine Stars sacks coach

    Edith Agoye, the head coach of the Sunshine Stars football club, Akure has been sacked.

    The sacking of Agoye was announced by the state commissioner for sports and youth development, Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa, during a meeting with the coaching crew of the team

    Other persons sacked were Agoye’s technical crew which included Assistant Coaches, Akin Olowokere, Banjo Adepoju, and Folorunsho Stephen.

    The sport’s commissioner explained that the sacking of Agoye and his technical crew was due to poor run of form and disregard for several ultimatums given to them to change tactics.

    He stated that the sacking was necessary to avoid the team fighting a relegation battle.

    Read Also: GTI sympathises  with Sunshine Stars on Dosunmu’s death

    Ologunloluwa said: “It’s not going to be business as usual, I don’t want to fight relegation anymore, and it’s not about witch-hunting. Once a technical crew is not performing, the job is about hiring and firing as you know.

    But Agoye thanked the commissioner for the opportunity to be the head coach and work with the team and wished the team well in the future.

    “I can only wish the club all the best going forward and I wish the coming coach the best of luck.”

    Sunshine Stars is currently 12th on the league table with 22 points from 19 matches

  • NPFL Club Owners Association condemn attack on Sunshine Stars

    NPFL Club Owners Association condemn attack on Sunshine Stars

    Chairman of the Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Okey Kpalukwu,  has described the armed attack on the bus conveying players and officials of Sunshine Stars of Akure to Benin City for a league game against Bendel Insurance, as unfortunate.

    The blood thirsty reportedly  armed men shot sporadically at the vehicle along the Ore-Benin road, causing serious injuries to a ball boy, players, and officials.

    “The news of armed men attack on Sunshine Stars team came to me as shock, but we thank God that no life was lost. This has once again brought to the forefront the poor security situation in our country, and something has to be done urgently by our government, especially at this time of the year. Let’s pray for the quick recovery of those injured,” stated he Rivers United General Manager.

    Read Also: Five NPFL goalies good for Super Eagles

    Chief Kpalukwu opined that long journeys embarked upon by clubs this season on very bad roads make them easy targets for hoodlums to perpetuate their dastardly acts.

    “One of the major reasons armed men find it easy to attack and kill innocent Nigerians on our roads is because they’re very bad. Our major roads are in deplorable conditions, which forces vehicles to move slowly on them. Drivers are most times forced to a halt when navigating the very bad parts of our roads, and hoodlums take advantage of this to kill and maim innocent travellers. Let the government fix our roads to save lives,” added Kpalukwu, a member of the NPFL  board.

  • Many injured as gunmenattack Sunshine Stars 

    Many injured as gunmenattack Sunshine Stars 

    One person has been shot and others injured in an attack on Sunshine Stars players and officials.

    The attacked happened on the Ore-Benin highway.

    It was gathered the team was on their way to Benin City, the Edo State capital, to play the Elite League tie against Insurance of Benin.

    A statement by the team’s Media Officer, Michael Akintunde, said the gunmen started shouting sporadically.

    Read Also: Gunmen attack Sunshine Stars of Akure team bus

    He said: “Our ball boy was shot in the horrible attack, our team manager and other club officials including players are seriously injured. It was officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps that helped rescue the injured and the shot individual to a nearby hospital.

    “We hope you join us in prayers”.

    A source said the players and officials were travelling without any security escort.

  • Sunshine Stars 80% ready, says Dogo

    Sunshine Stars Coach, Suleiman Kabir Dogo has hinted that his boys are ready for the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League campaign.
    The Owena Waves moved to Ibadan, Oyo State capital for closed camping programmes on Tuesday and had first of Wednesday’s double session between 8.30am and 10:45am under the guidance of the former Nasarawa United handler at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba.
    “I want to wish our fans a happy new year. We thank God for the good preseason build up; we got two trophies. We are here for closed camping few days to the game. We feel we should concentrate and build on what we have achieved in the two tournament (Unity and Gold Cup). We are in Ibadan for concentration and round up the last phase of our preparations for the first game. I appreciate the government and people of Ondo State, Sunshine Stars management and my crew for the support.
    “My team is always ready, at least with the two tournaments we have played. I pray the LMC, NFF and all the stakeholders of the league will allow it to start. We are not 100% ready now, but as the games goes on we will get it right. I believe the team is 80% ready for the first two games.” Dogo stated.
    Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Developments, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye has commended Sunshine Stars management, players and officials for the team’s impressive preseason performance.
    Ogunleye gave the commendation during a visit of the Otunba Tajudeen Akinyemi led Ondo State Football Agency board and management alongside Sunshine Stars crew to his office before the team departed Akure for Ibadan Tuesday.
    Ogunleye urged the team to do the Governor (Aketi) and the people of the state proud in the new season, positing that their good results will always spur the government on to do more and act speedily to their needs as obtainable at the moment.
    Sunshine Stars visit the Kwara State Sports Complex Ilorin, for a date with Kwara United on match day one of the 2018/19 season.

  • Gold Cup: Sunshine Stars set up Kwara Utd final tie

    Sunshine Stars will battle Kwara United in the final of the 2018 edition of Gold Cup Preseason Tourney at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure on Saturday.
    Goalkeeper Ayo Ojo stole the evening after he stopped two penalties as the Owena Waves beat Remo Stars 3-2 on penalties after they played 1-1 in regulation time in the semi final clash on Thursday.

    Read also: Gold Cup: Kwara Utd beats Cynosure to secure final ticket

    Midfielder Omaka Anthony gave the Kabiru Dogo side the lead in the 9th minute with a fabulous free kick from 25yards.
    Remo Stars responded well after the goal, dominating with impressive counter play.
    Their efforts were then rewarded eleven minutes later as Edoka Owochio scored from a goal mouth scramble in the 20th minute to equalize for his team.
    The game was then forced to penalties after the game ended 1-1.
    Ayo Ojo proved why Dogo introduced him in added time as he saved the first and forth penalty kick taken by Remo Stars.

  • Dogo under pressure to dump Sunshine Stars

    New Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars Kabir Suleiman Dogo is under pressure to leave the Akure based outfit, NationSport reports.
    A source close to the former Nasarawa United gaffer informed Sportinglife.ng that top Nigeria Professional Football League clubs are keen on securing his services ahead of the new season.
    The source who did not want his name in print, also revealed that Dogo is also considering his future with the Owena Waves as he is no longer comfortable with the situation at the club, especially as it concerns the team’s pre-season build-up for the upcoming league season.
    “I can tell you that Dogo may not stay for so long at Sunshine Stars. In fact, he may not even start the coming season with the club. Top clubs in the NPFL have shown concrete interest in the coach and he is considering their offers.
    “To make matters worse, the atmosphere at Sunshine Stars has not been made conducive for the coach to work. You can imagine that the coach is not given the free hands to pick or sign players that he believe can do the job for him. He is one of the young and tactically sound coaches in the country that have their own playing philosophy and knows the type of players that can fit into their plans.
    “I guess the coach may have no option than to leave Sunshine Stars if he is not given the free hands to do his job,” the source told NationSport.
    Dogo signed a year deal with Sunshine Stars with an option to renew in October.
    He guided Nasarawa United to the 2016 Federation (Aiteo) Cup final where they lost to FC IfeanyiUbah on penalty shootouts.
    Sunshine Stars are participating in the ongoing Gold Cup preseason tournament holding at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure.

  • Gold Cup: Lobi ready for Sunshine Stars test, says Ogbeide

    Lobi Stars Technical Adviser,Solomon Ogbeide has predicted a tough clash against Sunshine Stars in the Matchday 3 of the Gold Cup Tourney on Saturday, NationSport reports.
    The Makurdi-based side began their campaign at the 6th edition of the Gold Cup Tourney by defeating FC Ebedei 1-0 on Thursday but lost 1-0 to Cynosure FC in their second game on Friday.
    Saviour Francis of Cynosure FC scored the only goal that turned out to be the match winner in the 55th minute.
    In a chat with NationSport after the game, Ogbeide blamed Friday’s defeat on loss of concentration by his players.
    The experienced coach said his side will be ready for the ‘battle of Stars’ which is among the high profile games billed for Saturday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure.
    “There’s nothing to complain about or me handing any player the blame for the loss.
    “I liked what I saw and liked the team we played against as they gave us a good contest.
    “I started a different team entirely against Cynosure as I wanted to give all my players needed playing time.
    “Our style of play was good but a loss of concentration in the box by my defenders in that split seconds cost us.
    “The tie against Sunshine Stars is the usual league game, one that will be tough, as I will be playing against a team I know well and fans that once adored me in
    Akure.
    “Not taking anything away from Sunshine Stars, my players will be hungry to return to winning was,” Ogbeide told NationSport.

  • Ondo sacks Sunshine Stars coach

    The Ondo State Government on Tuesday sacked the Head Coach of Sunshine Stars, Duke Udi with immediate effect and asked  the former Coach of the team, Henry Abiodun to take over.

    The state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, made this known  on Tuesday in Akure.

    Abiodun was the Technical Director of the team before his appointment .

    Yusuf-Ogunleye said his ministry took the decision following letters received from the Ondo State Football Agency over the act of insubordination and gross misconduct by Udi.

    The commissioner noted that the Management Board of the club and the ministry decided to part ways with the coach after a joint meeting.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye said the duo also agreed that Abiodun should take over the management of the team till further notice.

    The former Sunshine FC head coach is a CAF Licence C category coach.

    Sunshine Stars are 17th on the NPFL table with 13 points from 12 matches.

    The club will play Yobe Deserts on Sunday in Akure.

    NAN

  • NPFL: Abia Warriors whip Yobe Desert Stars 3-1

    NPFL: Abia Warriors whip Yobe Desert Stars 3-1

    Hosts Abia Warriors Football Club on Sunday rediscovered their winning streak with a 3-1 bashing of visiting Yobe Desert Stars FC.

    Abia Warriors’ forward Effiong Ndifereke helped to turn the team’s fortunes around with a brace in the ninth and 29th minutes in the match played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    Sam Obi scored Abia Warriors’ second goal at the 16th minute during a goal-mouth scramble.

    The players however turned casual in their approach to the game, allowing the visitors to dictate the pace, with several incursions into Abia Warriors’ defence.

    The Damaturu- based boys sustained the pressure until the 79th minute, when Manika Usman’s grounder beat Abia Warriors’ goalkeeper for the visitors’ lone goal.

    Yobe Stars’ coach Ganaru Mohammed, in a post-match interview, said he was disappointed with the outcome of the game and admitted that his players were ordinary in the first half.

    Read Also: South-East/South-South Pre-Season: Abia Warriors through to semis

    “My players did not perform well in the first half. They allowed Abia Warriors to over-run them,” Mohammed said.

    He said that he expected that they could pick a point in Umuahia, considering that Abia Warriors had drawn their last two home matches.

    Also speaking, Abia Warriors’ coach Emmanuel Deutsch attributed the team’s victory to hard work and resilience.

    Deutsch gave assurance that they would continue to work hard for better results in their home and away fixtures.

    The News man reports that the Umuahia-based side had been uninspiring with two successive barren draws at home.

    These were against Sunshine Stars FC of Akure and Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    NAN