2023/2024 NPFL Match Day: Sunshine Stars send Gombe United on NNL journey

Posted : 03 June 2024

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Sunshine Stars FC have survived the relegation scare and heaved a sigh of relief in the far north in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 34 tie at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, with an emphatic 2-0 win over Gombe United.

The match started with the Akure Gunners moving in the opposing direction, but Gombe United defenders were resistant.

The opener eventually arrived in the 9th minute when Sunshine Stars FC star player, Promise Awosanmi, struck via a free kick from outside the 18 yards.

Gombe United pushed harder moments later but couldn't get an equalizer.

Suraj Ibrahim flashed passes consecutively at both flanks for Stars attackers, giving United defenders a tough time.

The second goal eventually arrived in the 30th minute, with Lucky Nwafor scoring with a volley.

The first half, however, ended 0-2.

On resumption into the second half, the home team pushed in search of a goal in the early stages following the introduction of new players, but their efforts weren't good enough.

In the 50th minute, Psalmist David Ariyo made a diving save to deny the home team as the ball sailed into touch.

Sunshine Stars attacker, Sodiq Ibrahim, had a chance in the 56th minute when he received a square pass from the edge from Promise Awosanmi, but he struggled with the ball at the edge and was quickly dispossessed.

Kennedy Boboye, however, introduced fresh legs in the 64th minute, with Vincent Temitope and Nelson Osahon replacing Promise Awosanmi and Sodiq Ibrahim.

In the 75th minute, Vincent Temitope and Chidozie Iwundu combined perfectly, outplaying Gombe United attackers and defenders superbly at the flank but lacked the cutting edge in the vital area after a fine run.

A chance for the 2013 Afcon winner to display his talent arrived in the 85th minute when Kennedy Boboye introduced Godfrey Oboabona, Moses Omodumueke, and Seun Olulayo. The trio replaced Suraj Ibrahim, Mafeng Pam, and Lucky Nwafor.

Efforts by Gombe United to score weren't enough, and Emmanuel Ogbuagu's marshalled defense was too strong for the home team to break.

The match ended 0-2 in favor of Sunshine Stars FC.

Sunshine Stars head coach, Kennedy Boboye, said that his boys played to instructions and his team deserved the win.

"I'm glad that we picked up the much-needed points here today in Gombe. It's a result we so desired, and I'm glad we got it done. Gombe United are not a bad side at all, but that's football for you."

He said his team would keep pushing till the end of the season.

Up next for Sunshine Stars FC is a midweek quarter-final clash with Kano Pillars in the President Federation Cup.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day: Sunshine Stars send Gombe United on NNL journey

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