The resurgence continued for Sunshine Stars FC on match day 28 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following a 2-1 win over visiting Abia Warriors at the Ondo State Sports Complex.
Two first half goals from Sadeeq Yusuf won Sunday’s game for the Owena Whales in the face of a tough test by the visitors.
The team was dealt with an injury blow before the game had settled, captain Sunday Abe was taken out on a stretcher with an hamstring complaint.
Despite the missing figure, there was no loosing focus for the boys and they began to create scoring chances inside the opening 15 minutes.
First, Sadeeq Yusuf miscued from a chance in front of goal, before the Abia Warriors’ goalkeeper made two key saves to deny birthday boy, Ifegwu Ojukwu.
20 minutes into the encounter, Yusuf found the breakthrough for Sunshine Stars, slotting home from a failed clearance to score his 10th goal of the season.
The visitors tried to respond swiftly, but Saliu Suileiman was up to the task when he was called into action .
Injury struck again just after the half hour mark, this time, Michael Olalusi was forced off and replaced by another homegrown talent, Kazeem Obanigba.
With three minutes left in the first half, Abia Warrios drew level through Paul Samson who bundled home at the near post from a deflected ball.
Then just before halftime, hitman, Yusuf responded with another goal from Ojukwu’s pass, restoring the coach Deji Ayeni’s boys’ lead going into the break.
In the 65th minute, Obanigba almost extend the lead but his deflected effort missed the target by a whisker.
With the clock seemingly tick out slowly amid late pressure from the visitors, seeing off the contest became the task of the Akure landlords, regardless, they were able to close out the game for their second home win on the bounce.
