Sunshine Stars zoom into 2024 President Federation Cup Round of 16

Posted : 23 May 2024

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David Ariyo was the hero as Sunshine Stars FC edged out Plateau United 3-2 to advance to the round of 16 of the oldest football league in Nigeria.

The match at the GoalProject in Abuja started with Sunshine Stars building up the attack, with long-serving captain of the team, Abe Sunday, at the right flank, in good combination with the duo of Emmanuel Ogbuagu and Chidozie Iwundu.

The Owena Boys' first chance of the game came 3 minutes into the match, with Yusuf Ibrahim pulling off a low drive from outside the penalty area. His effort was a tough one for the Plateau United goalkeeper to handle.

United settled moments later but were denied in the half of Sunshine Stars.

David Ariyo, however, announced his prowess in the 15th minute when he dived to save an attempt at the edge of the goal post.

In the 25th minute, Kingsley Ogunmola, Yusuf Ibrahim, Promise Awosanmi, and Lucky Nwafor dazzled to the admiration of football fans in the stands.

Sunshine Stars' Emmanuel Ogbuagu was booked for a rash challenge in the 35th minute of the tie as the first half ended goalless.

Two minutes into the second half, Stars received another booking, this time Duke Osimaga.

The northerners, however, capitalized on a slip at the edge of the box to score an opener in the 50th minute.

Kennedy Boboye introduced Opeoluwa Olufemi, Nelson Osahon, and Suraj Ibrahim in the 57th minute to replace Promise Awosanmi, Kingsley Ogunmola, and Duke Osimaga.

Ten minutes after his introduction, Opeoluwa Olufemi had a chance to equalize but his effort was just too wide.

Again, Kennedy Boboye introduced fresh legs in the 78th minute, this time Moses Omodumueke and Vincent Temitope replaced Mafeng Pam and Lucky Nwafor.

The equalizer arrived in the 90+3rd minute. Skipper Abe Sunday squared from an acute angle, Opeoluwa Olufemi controlled, picked his spot, and netted.

The equalizer was the last kick of the 90 minutes.

David Ariyo, however, became the hero as the Psalmist saved penalty kicks to give Sunshine Stars an edge, thus winning 3-2.

With the victory over Plateau United, the northerners are out of the President Federation Cup while Sunshine Stars advance to the round of 16.

Up next for Sunshine Stars this weekend is an elite league tie against Bendel Insurance of Benin at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.

Sunshine Stars zoom into 2024 President Federation Cup Round of 16

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