The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sunshine

  • Godfrey Oboabona’s contract: Sunshine insert 20 per cent sell on clause

    Godfrey Oboabona’s contract: Sunshine insert 20 per cent sell on clause

    Godfrey Oboabona passed his Rizespor medical conducted in Istanbul on Wednesday, and was signed by the Super League club.

    The Super Eagles centre-back was afterwards officially unveiled by Rizespor. He appended his signature on a four – year contract.

    The deal that took Godfrey Oboabona to Rizespor was brokered by influential 28-year-old Turkish agent, Mustafa Sezgin, and he has now broken his silence on the details of the contract.

    ”Godfrey Oboabona has passed his medical and will sign a four – year contract on Thursday (yesterday) morning.

    ”He will earn 450,000 euros every year in the four – year deal while Rizespor will pay Sunshine Stars 650,000 euros.

    “During negotiations, Sunshine Stars inserted a 20 per cent sell on clause in Oboabona’s contract,” Mustafa Sezgin, who also represents another Nigeria international Kalu Uche, informed allnigeriasoccer.com before the signing took place.

    Godfrey Oboabona has been named by Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi in his roster for the World Cup qualifying fixture against Malawi on September 7.

  • Lobi Stars dim Sunshine

    Lobi Stars dim Sunshine

    Lobi Stars were able to manage a slim 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars in a week 25 fixture of the Glo Nigerian Premier League played on Wednesday August 14, 2013.

    Lobi goalkeeper Terkaa Melai scored a first half goal via penalty to ensure they record maximum points at the Katsina-Ala stadium. But there was tension at the stadium when the original referee for game was allegedly changed, with Lobi Stars crying foul.

    They were said to have accused Sunshine Stars boss Mike Idoko of being it. It was quickly resolved .

    The victory on Wednesday now takes Lobi Stars to a disappointing 32 points from 24 games as they have not fared well so far this season.

  • SUNSHINE STARS 3-0 DOLPHINS Medrano dedicates goal to daughter

    SUNSHINE STARS 3-0 DOLPHINS Medrano dedicates goal to daughter

    Sunshine Stars midfielder Medrano Tamen has dedicated his first Nigeria Professional Football League goal to his newborn daughter.

    The Cameroonian scored the Akure Gunners’ third goal in a Week 24 game concluded at the Akure Township Stadium last Sunday.

    He said: “Thank you Lord for the victory over Dolphins. I scored my first league goal of the season against them, and I want to dedicate it to my princess, Tamen Milena Amelia Bourdin.”

  • Sunshine lift suspension Odunlami, Kwambe

    Sunshine lift suspension Odunlami, Kwambe

    Sunshine Stars have lifted the suspension placed on Super Eagles’ players, Ebenezer Odunlami and Solomon Kwambe a top official of the club has told SportingLife.

    Both were suspended last weekend by the Akure Gunners for skipping training prior to the club’s league tie against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium. The club subsequently lost 0-2.

    The Coordinator of the Ondo State Football Agency(OSFA), Mike Idoko who announced the lifting said the decision was reached after a crucial meeting between the technical crew, the players and OSFA.

    Idoko reckoned that everything had been resolved and that the players have since resumed training ahead of this weekend’s tie with Dolphins of Port Harcourt in Akure.

    “I can tell you that we have lifted the suspension placed on them after a consultative meeting we had. It was a communication gap that caused the whole problem and we have admonished both players as a deterrent to others.

    “They have since resumed training and we are hoping for the best in our subsequent matches especially our home game against Dolphins this weekend,” Idoko said.

  • ‘Sunshine to improve on Federation Cup triumph’

    ‘Sunshine to improve on Federation Cup triumph’

    Mike Idoko, the Coordinator, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), on Friday assured that the success of Sunshine Stars in the Round of 32 of the Federation Cup would influence its Globacom League standings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunshine beat their Premier League rivals, Nembe City 2-1 on Wednesday at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba, Anambra, to advance to the Federation Cup Round of 16.

    Idoko told NAN in Akure that the victory would be a morale-booster against the visiting Kwara United in the week 22 match that would be played at the Akure Township Stadium in Akure at the weekend.

    “The basic thing is that we are now back in form and I know that at the end of the league match, we will prevail over Kwara United.

    “I believe that the players realised what was at stake and wanted to return to continental football.

    “The players have promised to give their best for the remaining part of the season and will start with the home match against the Kwaran side,” he said.

    Idoko earlier noted that the position of Sunshine Stars on the log of the league was improvable, adding that it was just six points separating it from the third spot holder, Kwara United.

    “If we can win this match, we will reduce the deficit between us and Kwara United to three points,” Idoko noted.

    NAN reports that Sunshine Stars is currently in the 13th position of the Globacom Premier League with 28 points from 21 matches.

  • Eagles’ invitation thrills Olorundare, Oladapo

    Eagles’ invitation thrills Olorundare, Oladapo

    Sunshine Stars striker, Dele Olorundare, has said he is excited his goals in the league have been rewarded with a call-up to the Super Eagles.

    Olorundare is the leading scorer in the Nigeria league with 11 goals and has been called up for next month’s 2014 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire in Kaduna.

    “I always believe one day my effort and hard work will yield a positive result,” Olorundare told MTNFootball.com

    “I feel great and excited to be picked. It is a thing of joy to me and a dream come true.

    “When an opportunity like this comes, it shows you are being followed and it means one is doing well. I will go there and put in my best and pray to God to crown my effort.”

    Another fresh Eagles invitee, Olufemi Oladapo, told MTNFootball.com said his decision to return from Europe so as to re-establish himself in the national team has already paid off.

    “I am here in the country to play for a league club in order to establish myself in the national team and now my dream has come to pass,” said the former Anderlecht starlet.

    “The national team has been doing well – winning the AFCON was a great achievement after 19 years and they just featured at the FIFA Confederations Cup and I want to believe that joining up with the team, I could also contribute my own quota. I promise not to disappoint my fans,” said the former U-20 international.

    Oladapo said he is willing to battle the likes of Chelsea star Mikel Obi for a place in the team.

  • SUNSHINE STAR COACHING JOB Fatai Amoo returns as Technical Adviser

    SUNSHINE STAR COACHING JOB Fatai Amoo returns as Technical Adviser

    •Gets continental ticket mandate
    •Napoleon Aluma named chief coach

     

    NIGERIA Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Sunshine Stars of Akure, have appointed former Super Eagles assistant coach, Fatai Amoo as the club’s Technical Adviser.

    The former Chief Coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) was named as replacement to disengaged coach, Samuel Abimbola who was relieved of his duty following a poor run of the Akure Gunners in the league.

    In the same vein, assistant coach, Napoleon Aluma who took charge of the team pending the appointment of a substantive coach was upgraded to the position of chief coach.

    An official of the team informed SportingLife Monday evening that Amoo has been given the mandate of securing a continental ticket at the end of the season.

    “I can confirm to you that Coach Fatai Amoo has been appointed as the Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars while coach Napoleon Aluma who is holding forth till this time as assistant coach has been upgraded to the position of the chief coach.

    “Amoo has been charged to get any of the three continental slots at the end of the season. That is the expectation and aspiration of the people of Ondo State.

    “Amoo responded very well saying that one of the reasons that determined his consent was the structure in place. That is talking about Ondo State Football Agency, the people around and technical hands involved are highly vast in the administration of the round lethal game, contrary to other places he had worked at, that was his motivation.

    “He is resuming immediately. We are on our way to the stadium where he will be introduced to the team. Sunshine Stars represented Nigeria in last year’s CAF Champions League, where they got to the semi-finals, currently have 21 points from 15 matches and were 12th on the Nigerian Professional Football league (NPLF) Table,” the official said.

  • Sunshine Stars place Onobi on work without pay

    The management of Sunshine Stars International Football Club of Akure, has dangled its axe yet again on defensive midfielder, Paul Onobi for an act of indiscipline.

    The workaholic former Enyimba International ace was slammed with an indefinite work-without-pay sanction.

    He was reported to have walked straight into the dressing room after he was substituted in last weekend’s tie against ABS FC of Ilorin haven played for 28 minutes.

    The Akure Gunners considered the players’ act as unprofessional and a public disgrace not just to the team’s management but also to the number one citizen of the state, Dr. Segun Mimiko, who was physically present at the Akure Township Stadium .

    “Paul Onobi, has been placed on work without pay suspension; the sanction will be indefinite until the club sees that he has shown remorse, then the management can call to meet and take a decision on him. But, for now, he is on suspension and if he cannot comply he is free to leave the club,” a no-nonesense Rasheed Shodiya Balogun, team manager informed.

    The management also warned that any erring player will be fined heavily and also urged the players and officials to buckle up in their quest to win the league.

  • Sunshine won’t stop Oboabona move — Idoko

    Sunshine won’t stop Oboabona move — Idoko

    Top Sunshine Stars official Mike Idoko has maintained the club will not stop Godfrey Oboabona’s transfer to Europe soon.

    Lille have through their agents tabled a one million Euros bid for the international defender, which Sunshine have reportedly turned down, insisting for more.

    However, Idoko told MTNFootball.com that the interest of the club and the player is paramount in this case and that they are yet to receive a formal offer from Lille for Oboabona.

    “We won’t stop the progress of any of our players and once there is an offer that is okay for the club and the player, he will move,” argued Idoko.

    “This is a sponsored story and I believe someone is trying to push us to the wall as regards this player’s transfer because as far as we are concerned we are not aware of any offer by Lille.”

    Idoko continued: “It is just like the case of trials for the player at Arsenal. How would you expect a player of Oboaboan’s calibre to be attending trials after what he achieved with the Super Eagles and the fact that he has played in the final stages of both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup?

    “Were he to get injured during the trials, what would become of him? I know for sure that no club would then want to touch him.”

    Idoko disclosed to MTNFootball.com that they have offers from several clubs in Europe for the central defender, who could also play at right back or as a defensive midfielder.

    “We have offers for the player from England, Russia, Croatia and Italy and once we get a good offer for him, he will go,” he said.

    “But you can be sure that we won’t sell him into slavery. He must be happy with what his new club want to give him.”

  • Sunshine to Lille Pay N416m, get Oboabona

    Sunshine to Lille Pay N416m, get Oboabona

    •French club’s 208m bid rejected 

    Sunshine Stars have asked Lille to pay two million Euros (about N416m ) for Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona after the French club tabled half that sum.

    MTNFootball.com can specially reveal that Lille have put on the table a million Euros (about N208m ) for 22-year-old Oboabona, who shone at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Lille thus met the million Euros valuation of the Nigeria club for the player, but Sunshine have now demanded double that amount.

    “Lille have through an agent made a bid of a million Euros for Oboabona, but Sunshine Stars say they now want them to double that figure. Sunshine through a top official wrote directly to Lille and not through the agents demanding for two million Euros,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com.

    Efforts to reach Sunshine Stars general manager Mike Idoko were not successful.

    The versatile Oboabona, who could play as a right back, central defender or defensive midfielder, has attracted a rash of interests from across the big leagues in Europe after he shone at the 2013 AFCON, which Nigeria won.

    He was recently reported to be on his way to trials with top English Premier League side Arsenal, but Sunshine officials have since dismissed this. The player himself has said God will decide where he moves to in the summer.

    He told MTNFootball.com: “There are speculations and inquiries from many clubs, but I don’t know where I will end up. God will decide and chose the best for me.”