2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 30: Sporting Lagos FC lucky, we are better, says Sunshine Stars Coach Boboye

Posted : 18 April 2024

It's no news that Sporting Lagos Football Club defeated Sunshine Stars FC 1-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos as the battle to avoid relegation intensifies in the elite league in Nigeria. However, the coach of Sunshine Stars believes that his side was better.

The South West derby lived up to its expectations with fans cheering both the home team and the visiting team in the early stages of the tie, especially with beautiful displays from Sunshine Stars' defensive line to the midfield.

Up front, Yusuf Ibrahim, Sodiq Ibrahim, and Promise Awosanmi were provided with needed passes by Duke Osimaga and Opeoluwa Olufemi.

Stars' pressure, however, paid off 3 minutes into the game as Yusuf Ibrahim fired a shot from the edge, hitting the upright.

Boboye said Sporting Lagos were just lucky.

Seven minutes later, the home team shook the net via a set piece, with Pascal Durugbor scoring the goal in the 11th minute, which proved to be the only goal of the day.

Sunshine Stars' confidence grew despite conceding the goal and 20 minutes into the game, Sunshine Stars' energetic left-back, Taiwo Rafiu, had his 26-yard free kick tipped over the bar by Sporting's goalkeeper.

In the 33rd minute, the Mobolaji Johnson Arena was divided with rowdy analysis when Yusuf Ibrahim was brought down inside the penalty area, but the center referee ignored the call.

The first half, however, ended 1-0.

On resumption into the second half, Stars mounted in search of an equalizer but were denied by Sporting's defensive line.

In the 56th minute, Sunshine Stars had an opportunity to score when Sporting Lagos' goalie failed to handle a cross within his range, but Stars' attackers were meters away. However, a tap-in would have given the visitors an equalizer.

Kennedy Boboye introduced Tunde Adeniji and Nelson Osahon in the 71st minute to help push harder; the duo came in for Sodiq Yusuf and Opeoluwa Olufemi.

Fans were shocked in the 75th minute when the center referee incredibly denied the visitors, Stars, a penalty when Sporting Lagos' defender harshly brought down Emmanuel Ogbuagu inside the box.

Again, Sunshine Stars made another substitution in the 87th minute, with Azeez Ajagbe and Kingsley Ogunmola replacing Ibrahim Yusuf and Isaac Love this time.

Efforts by Sunshine Stars to get an equalizer weren't enough as the match ended 1-0 in favor of the home team.

Kennedy Boboye, in his post-match interview, rued missed chances by his team, urging his boys to put the loss behind them.

"It's not the result we wanted, having played so well, but that's football. We are not disturbed. I'm picking the positives from the tie. At times, derbies are like that. Our focus is on our next match."

Sunshine Stars' next match is against Enyimba FC at the Ondo State Sports Complex.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 30: Sporting Lagos FC lucky, we are better, says Sunshine Stars Coach Boboye

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