The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sunshine

  • Abimbola praises Sunshine Stars

    Abimbola praises Sunshine Stars

    Coach Samuel Abimbola of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure has poured encomium on team’s defender, Godfrey Oboabona, who helped them to claim the maximum three points in their Sunday’s league match.

    Abimbola told newsmen immediately after the match that he was satisfied with the performance of his players and especially, Oboabona, for being dedicated to the team.

    “I am happy that we won today’s match but football is like a catering assignment; you prepare today’s meal well, tomorrow you think of how to satisfy a customer. We want to win Lobi Stars on Wednesday so that we can fall back to second position. I am not promising that we will win the league but if it comes our way, we will grab it with both hands,” he said.

    Abimbola added that Oboabona with his goals was giving back to the fans that supported him while away on national assignment.

    “Oboabona is giving back to his fans back home and he is doing well with his performance,” he said.

    The coach, however, said that the 35 players registered by Sunshine Stars were all capable of playing well in case the three Super Eagles players in his team were called to the national team.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oboabona, who is a Super Eagles defender, found the net twice in the team’s 3-0 victory over visiting Wikki Tourist of Bauchi. Oboabona scored in the 44th minute and in the 89th minute, while team mate Dele Olorundare scored in the 65th minute of the match played at the Akure Township Stadium.

    NAN reports that Sunshine Stars’ Week three match against Lobi Stars, which was postponed due to the Makurdi side’s CAF Confederation Cup engagement, will be played on Wednesday in Akure.

  • Sunshine Stars eye upset in Kano

    Sunshine Stars eye upset in Kano

    Sunshine stars stand-in captain Abey Sunday has voiced the readiness of the Akure Gunners to maintain the team’s unbeaten run in the 2012/2013 Nigerian Professional Football League season.

    Sunday spoke immediately after the team’s 3 -0 victory in a warm up match with Fountain Football Club of Ekiti at the Akure Sport Complex. The former Flying Eagles player stressed the team’s fine form this season where they remain unbeaten in four matches played so far.

    The Akure based side picked the maximum points in two of her home matches against Kaduna and Gombe United with a draw against Kwara United and Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt on away league games to remain fourth on the league log.

    The Sunshine Stars assistant captain said the boys are ready to test their might against the league defending champions and table toppers, Kano Pillars.

    Speaking in the same vein, Sunshine Chief Coach, Abimbola Samuel said he is looking for an upset in the week six mid-week match coming up in the ancient city of Kano.

    The former Under- 20 assistant coach expressed disappointment over the team’s second goal against Kwara United which was disallowed thereby depriving the Stars of the three points in Ilorin.

    The coach appealed for a level playing field to bring out the best from the two top teams, saying that if Kano Pillars can pick two victories on the road, nothing should stop his boys from doing the same.

  • Sunshine coach happy with club form

    Sunshine coach happy with club form

    • Says Akure Gunners growing in confidence

    Sunshine Stars coach Samuel Abimbola has expressed joy at the good start of the club to the 2012/2013 season but warned the players against lowering their guard.

    Abimbola replaced the new Sharks of Port Harcourt gaffer at the commencement of the pre-season and with the Akure Gunners yet to taste defeat after four games, the coach said he was thrilled with the overall contributions of his players.

    The former City of David (COD), Lagos and Flying Eagles tactician opined that he would like the Akure-based side to continue with their invincibility for as many matches as possible.

    “We are grateful to God for how we have started. We will continue to strive to get as many points as possible. About our unbeaten start to the season, I don’t know when we are going to lose,” Abimbola said.

    Sunshine have won two games against Kaduna United and Gombe United and drawn the other two with Kwara United and Dolphins away from home.

  • Rangers stuck as Sunshine top

    Rangers stuck as Sunshine top

    Sunshine Stars will keep top spot in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) till the next matchday after Enugu Rangers failed to win their home game on Monday that would have seen them go top by two points.

    Instead the Flying Antelopes are second on seven points with leaders, Sunshine Stars, who edge them on superior goals scored.

    Enugu Rangers 0-0 Warri Wolves

    In spite of buzzing around Warri Wolves’ goal area, Enugu Rangers for the fourth season at home could not defeat their rivals. Fans of the hosts were alleged to have attempted to attack the match officials but the security personnel intervened just in time to nip their act in the bud.

    Nasarawa United 2-1 Nembe City

    The Solid Miners took the lead in the first half through Victor Namo and the former Kano Pillars got his second and that of his team in the restart before centre-back Baker Ebiabowei scored for Nembe City via a set-piece as they suffered their second loss on the spin.

    Bayelsa United 2-0 Wikki Tourists

    A goal in each half from Uche Ihuarulan and Tarilaye Nwankwe made sure the hosts ran out two-nil victors to ensure they stay in the top four after Matchday 3.

    Akwa United 1-0 Kano Pillars

    Ubong Ekpai’s goal just past the hour mark put an end to Kano Pillars’ six-year dominance over Akwa United in the top flight.

    3SC 3-1 Lobi Stars

    Two goals before the break had this game level. Gbolahan Salami scored for 3SC first before Chimaobi Nwaogu pulled Lobi level. In the last 20 minutes of this game, Tony Edjomariegwe and Moses Ogaga got the goals that put this tie beyond Lobi’s reach.

    ABS 1-0 Dolphins

    Ichull Lordson’s goal from the spot was just all ABS needed to edge Dolphins in this tie. ABS also had Abdulrahman Bashir’s goal, which could have made it two, chalked off by the match officials.

    Sunshine Stars 3-2 Gombe United

    Dele Olorundare’s double as well as Jacob Oluyemi’s strike made sure that the two goals from Bishop Onyeudo for Gombe United counted for nothing. Sunshine Stars are now leaders of the NPFL.

    Sharks 0-1 Kwara United

    Kwara United secured the only win on the road at Sharks. Najeem Olukokun scored in the second half to put the Blue Angels to the swords as the Kwara United got their first win of the campaign.

    Heartland 4-1 Kaduna United

    The Naze Millionaires went rampant against Kaduna United scoring four goals to earn their first win this term. Emeka Ogbugh, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Isah Akor, with a brace, got on the score sheet for Heartland while Peter Onoja’s lone strike was not enough for Kaduna United.

    Enyimba 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

    Late goals from Michael Okoyoh and Chimezie Amanfor secured the full points for Enyimba after it looked like they were heading for a home draw.

  • Sunshine Stars seek divine intervention

    Sunshine Stars seek divine intervention

    The Management and players of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, on Sunday took time off to seek God’s favour and intervention for the 2012/13 Nigerian professional league season at the Hand of God Gospel and Healing Church, Akure.

    The delegation included the Ondo State FA led by its chairman Otunba Dele Ajayi, Sunshine Supporters Club led by its chairman, Oduyi Emmanuel and the Ondo State SWAN led by Akintunde Akinsemola. It also included the Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency, Dele Ologbese in company of other egg-heads of the agency. Ologbese said in his address that the agency was seeking time with God to show their thanks and appreciation for the past seasons where His grace and mercy saw Sunshine Stars through the league and their CAF continental campaign.

    In their message the General Overseer and founder of the Hand of God Gospel and Healing Church, Pastor Bayo Idowu and Prophetess Mary Idowu enjoined the players and officials to be dedicated and thorough in their work as the sky will be their limit.

    The executive director of the agency, Mike Idoko gave the vote of thanks by leading the entire contingent and congregation to a time of praise worship and offering to God which, according to him, had been the secret of Sunshine Stars’ astronomical successes in both the Nigerian domestic league and in their CAF continental campaign.

    Idoko said further that they were seeeking God’s favour to surpass the records of Sunshine Stars so far, having come second and third in the Nigerian Premier League in the past two seasons. He prayed God to enable the club lay their hands on the league shield at the end of the 2012/2013 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sunshine Stars supporters jubilant over team’s return to Akure

    Sunshine Stars supporters jubilant over team’s return to Akure

    For the first time in two years, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure was able to play its home league matches in its own stadium, after years of playing such matches away.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club had to suffer the discomfort because its stadium did not meet the required specifications of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The NPFL had made it mandatory for clubs to ensure that their stadia had a lush playing turf, perimeter fencing, standard dressing rooms, as well as being television-friendly.

    Following this development, Sunshine Stars and other defaulting clubs were made to play their matches elsewhere. The development made the Ondo Government to work round the clock to ensure that the stadium met the NPFL’s requirements.

    The club marked its home-coming at the Akure Stadium with a 1-0 victory over visiting Kaduna United FC of Kaduna, in its first match of the NPFL’s 2012/2013 season.

    Some of the fans who spoke with NAN all agreed that the development would change the fortunes of the team. Some of them added that the stadium would also be of recreational interest to fun seekers in the state.

    Segun Ajibola, a civil servant, thanked the state government for giving them the opportunity to watch Sunshine Stars live in Akure. He added that with home support from its teeming fans, the club could

    attain loftier heights in the NPFL and even clinch a continental ticket.

    “Now that the club is playing its home matches in Akure, the club will surely go places with the support of its teeming supporters,’’ Ajibola said.

    Adedayo Balogun, a businessman, urged the club’s supporters to throw their weight behind the team, even when it played clumsily against the Kaduna side. We should give the team time to settle down, being its first home match in a new season, I believe the team will improve in subsequent matches. They should continue to back the team and not relent in their support,’’ Balogun said.

    Meanwhile, Wale Koretimi, a journalist, who came to watch the match with his family, focused more on the recreational aspects of the stadium.

    “Prior to the re-opening of the stadium, my family usually spent their recreational time at fast food outlets. Now that we have the newly-refurbished Akure stadium in place, we now have another recreational option for the family outings,” he added.

    NAN reports that the stadium was filled to the brim by football fans, who had to part with N200 each to watch the match.

  • Lobi Stars face Sunshine Saturday

    Lobi Stars face Sunshine Saturday

    : Sharks, Bayelsa Utd clash toda

    Lobi Stars FC of Markurdi will engage Sunshine Stars of Akure in a pre-season friendly game on Saturday at the Katsina Ala Stadium in Benue State.

    The match is one of the tune-up matches lined up for the team ahead of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kick of date slated for March 9.

    The club’s coordinator Ganiyu Adeleke disclosed this to SportingLife yesterday.

    Adeleke said the club management is doing everything humanly possible to see that the players are fully fit for the season.

    The Dominic Iorfa-led side last Friday defeated Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 3-1 in another friendly encounter.

    “The team is working hard ahead of the forthcoming season. We’ve been trying to keep the players fit with series of friendly matches. We have strong belief that we will be ready for the league kick-off,” Adeleke said.

    Meanwhile, Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt will test their readiness for the new season with a tune up game against Bayelsa United at the Liberation stadium by 3pm today.

  • Bosso set for Sunshine Stars job

    Bosso set for Sunshine Stars job

    SUPERSPORT.COM understands Wikki Tourists manager, Ladan Bosso, is set to be named the new manager of Premier League side, Sunshine Stars.

    The former Flying Eagles, Niger Tornadoes and Kano Pillars gaffer has since emerged as leading candidate to succeed Gbenga Ogunbote, who took the club to an all-time high in the CAF Champions League after a three-year stint.

    Ogunbote resigned following the club’s exit in the semi-final of Africa’s most prestigious club competition and the club have been in search of a manager with African experience.

    Supersport.com learnt that talks with the Niger State born manager, who led Nigeria’s U-20 team to the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, in Canada, would hold on Monday and a deal is expected to be sealed between both parties.

    Bosso’s Champions League experience in 2011 with Kano Pillars gives him the edge as the club’s hierarchy is hungry for another African experience.

    The presence of players like Brown Ideye, Ambrose Efe, Reuben Gabriel, Obiorah Nwankwo and Elderson Echiejile he managed at the U-20 team in Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles also confirms Bosso’s rating as a top class manager.

    If a deal is sealed, it will be Bosso’s first time as manager of a top flight team in the south after working as an assistant to Godwin Uwua at Bendel Insurance.