Sunshine Stars of Akure defeated Nasarawa United by a lone goal to pick up maximum points in the Matchday eight clash of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun state.
Olufemi Opeoluwa struck in the 17th minute after a calamitous error by the Nasarawa United goalkeeper left the Sunshine Stars player with an open goal to score into and he made no mistake from inside the box.
The early goal will go on to be enough to salvage maximum points for Sunshine Stars in a match they could have also lost if Nasarawa United players had converted their own chances I to goals.
The balanced encounter began with the hosts dominating and Olufemi Opeoluwa putting his side ahead having benefited from Seth Mayi’s deflected pass.
Nasarawa United under the tutelage of former Sunshine Stars coach Kabir Dogo took control with the away team showing how well drilled they are. They started pulling strings and creating openings for their team with good runs and passing that allowed them have shots against the home side.
However, the Owena Whales defence led by Chidozie Iwundu matched the visitors’ pressure and kept their composure to secure a priceless 1-0 win that moved them high up the Nigeria Premier Football League standings.
Speaking after the match, Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Kennedy Boboye described the match as quite difficult because of the quality of the Nasarawa side and their management team.
“We played against a good side coached by an experienced coach”, he said
“It was a very tough game for us today as we did not play the way we normally run over teams. Had we conceded a goal it would have been a different result.”
Nasarawa United Coach Dogo lamented that his team lost the match against Sunshine Stars despite their remarkable showing. He congratulated Sunshine Stars for grinding out the victory against his side.
Sunshine Stars currently occupy fourth position on the log with 13 points and will be traveling to Jos to battle Plateau United for more NPFL points.
