Sunshine Stars secured a back-to-back home win in the 2021/22 NPFL season, dimming Niger Tornadoes 2-1 at the Ondo State Sports Complex, on matchday 33.
Leonard Ugochukwu opened scoring with a super goal in the first half, before Ikenna Cooper came on to snatch all points for the Owena Whales after Tornadoes stunning leveller at the stroke of half time.
Just before the start of Sunday’s game, a minute’s silence was observed for the victims of last week’s church attack in Owo, with our players and officials putting on black armbands to reflect the mourimg mood in Ondo State.
Following a swing of rhythm in the opening stages, the visitors were the first to threaten but Jonas Emmanuel watched his attempt blaze over after breaching our backline and faced goalkeeper Japhet Opubo in a one-on-one situation.
Three minutes later, Leonard Ugochukwu caught Tornadoes defense napping and he wasted no time to power home from the edge and give us the lead.
While our boys maintained the driver’s seat, midfielder, Ike Brandon picked up a knock just after the half hour mark of the game, forcing a substitution that saw him replaced by Cooper.
The visitors however levelled matters on the stroke of halftime through Jimmy Abdul just before the break.
The Owena Whales kept up the pressure in the second forty-five minutes and Tornadoes goalie, George Michael was called into action from different range.
Breakthrough came again in the 70th minute through Cooper who guided a header home from Habib Yakub’s perfectly-weighted cross, beating George Michael at his nearpost.
The rest of the game was down to control and steadiness, which our boys executed perfectly to secure a second consecutive home win and stay 7th on the log with 48 points.
Our next assignment is the state FA Cup final against Akure City Academy on Tuesday, before travelling to Ilorin for a date with Kwara United on matchday 34.
POST MATCH PRESSER🎙
The gaffer, Emmanuel Deutcsh faced the media after the game and his words were transcribed by Sunshine Stars Media.
“Beautiful game! People have to understand that patient brings success. The boys showed good character in the field; we scored, they equaliser and the boys’ effort made the difference in the second half. Congratulations to all the people of Ondo State, but still not yet for me.
“The FA Cup games on Tuesday and Thursday made my boys struggled today; they are human beings, playing three times in a week is not easy. I think both the FA Cup finalists have qualified for the national (AITEO Cup)._
“No body go to war to loose; I am going to Kwara with optimism that I can do something there, because a result there will be good for us.”
Sunshine XI | Opubo; Yakub, Adeyemi, Anioke, Ozor (48′ Awosanmi); Nwaiwu, Brandon (33′ Cooper), Ajagbe; Chilekwu, Nwogbaga (85′ Uzoechi) Ugochukwu
Unused Subs | Lawal; Abe, Bello, Olalusi, Pius Ojo, Vincent
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