By Femi Atolagbe
Goals from Chinedu Nwosu and Seth Mayi were all Sunshine Stars needed to pick the full points against Akwa United in a Matchday 4 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Sunshine Stars took the lead through Chinedu Nwosu, who chipped the ball over Akwa United goalkeeper Seidu Mutawakilu from Mayi’s pass in the 19th minute.
Moments later, Chidozie Iwundu thought he had increased the Owena Whales’ lead when he scored from a rebound off Seidu Salisu’s well taken free-kick, only to have his goal disallowed for offside.
The landlords of the Nest of Champions reacted swiftly to Sunshine Stars’ onslaught to get a leveller but they met the brick wall of Sunshine Stars’ defence marshalled by Iwundu, Ogechukwu Ogbu, Yusuf Olowoshile, Peace Dewan and Adamu Umar.
Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Ofori was also in his best form to deal with Akwa United’s set-pieces.
The hosts stuck to their game-plan at the restart of the encounter by keeping it tight at their back line.
The trio of Nelson Osahon, AbdulAzeez Ajagbe and Adewale Yusuf were introduced by Sunshine Stars to replace injured Chinedu Nwosu, Seidu Salisu and Achi Nnaemeka in the 64th minute.
The introduction of the trio paid off in the 81st minute as midfielder, Mayi registered his name on the score sheet after heading into the net from Ajagbe’s corner kick.
Akwa United reduced Sunshine Stars’ lead through Wisdom Udom in the 83rd minute but it was too little, too late.
Sunshine Stars first assistant coach, Bobola Akinfolarin commended his players for their character in both halves of the encounter adding that the players played according to game-plan.
According to him: “After the last match against Abia Warriors we told them to put the result of the game behind them and focus on today’s match, and to God be the glory, we were able to coast home with maximum points.
“We told the players we can regain the lost points elsewhere. Today’s match is done and dusted, we are now focusing on our next game, another away tie against Kano Pillars in Katsina.”
The win now takes Sunshine Stars to second place on the standings pending when Matchday 4 will be rounded off on Sunday.