Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure on Sunday defeated Nassarawa United 2-1 on match day 32 encounter of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The match played at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, had Chilekwu Chigozie putting Sunshine Stars ahead three minutes into the encounter after he capitalized on the visitor’s defensive error to put the home team-up.
As the match progressed, Forward Leonard Ugochuckwu made it 2-0 in the 11th minute after receiving a sublime pass from Midfielder Ebonam Nwogbada to end the half 2-0.
All efforts by the visitors to come back into the game were rebuffed by the home team’s goalkeeper Japhet Opubo until the 73rd minute by Striker Chinedu Ohanachom to make it 2-1.
Nassarawa United tried all it could to ensure they pick at least a point from the encounter, but the home team stood its ground to ensure they pick the maximum three points.
Sunshine Stars Head Coach, Emmanuel Deutcsh said he was happy that his team won the encounter, but was saddened that his team could not keep a clean sheet.
Deutcsh said the result showed that his team was making progress and would try and ensure they win the next home match to ensure they move up the log more.
“We will try and win against Niger Tornadoes in our next home match to ensure our standing improved on the log and we are playing on Tuesday in the Challenge Cup, so we have to go and prepare,” he said.
Nassarawa United Head Coach, Bala Nikyu said the game was a good one, but unfortunately, his team did not get the first half right.
Sunshine Stars now have 45 points from 32 matches and are 7th on the log, while Nassarawa United is 11th with 41 points.
A one-minute silence was held at the stadium in honor of those that died in the attack at Francis Catholic Church in Owo.