NPFL 22': Sunshine Stars Pips 10-Man Plateau United 1 - 0

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 NPFL 22': Sunshine Stars Pips 10-Man Plateau United 1 - 0




NPFL 22': Sunshine Stars Pips 10-Man Plateau United 1 - 0

Kolade Adeniji's goal proved decisive as Sunshine Stars triumphed 1-0 at home to 10-man Plateau United in a frenetic match day 20 meeting at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode on Sunday.


A display defined by willpower and resilience drove the Owena Whales to the victory that brought the Tinboy'sy boy's invincible run to a halt, after 12 matches.


The starting shirts handed Ebonam Nwagboga, Azeez, Ajagbe, and Ejike Uzoechi by acting Head Coach, Kayode Adeyemi meant no fewer than three changes were made to the side that lost to today's opponents in the last game of the first stanza.


Our boys edged the early ball possesion and had the first opening at goal when Azeez Ajagbe released Samson Olasupo after five minutes, but the latter's shot was kept out by Suraj Ayeleso, while Ikenna Cooper sent his effort on the rebound Mustapha Lawal who again proved to be one of the best savers in the league dived low to tip behind from a pile driver in the 37th minute before combining with Mutiu Dauda to repel the visitors in quick succession.


We almost end the opening half with a goal but Cooper's effort from a square ball was deflected behind, while Ajagbe rattled Ayeleso with a fierce shot from the resulting corner kick. 


Olasupo went close to slotting home the opener just after the restart, h, however, his effort past onrushing Ayeleso drifted wide


Sunday Anthony caused a scare at our goal with a long free-kick kick that sailed just wide of Lawal's rightest on the hour mark.


In the 65th, minute Dauda went close free-kick kick aopponent'sonents end; his curling ball from an acute angle was stopped by the frame while a follow-up low up on the rebound was off the mark.


Then a moment later our boys appealed for a penalty when Cooper went down under a challenge in the area, but the referee appeared unconvinced.


Onyeka Nwaiwu who put in a great shift from his holding midfield role intervened in the area with a decisive clearance that denied the Fidelis Ilechukwu's side a real chance after 71 minutes of play.


The former champions were reduced to 10 men as Haggai Katoh was sent to the early shower for a second bookable offense.


Ideas, as he did in the crucial 3-2 win over Plateau United last season, put us in front with a low header at the near-post, off Dauda's cross 12 minutes from time.


Goalkeeper Lawal pulled a big save in added time by tipping over from a header at close range to ensure Sunshine Stars take home all points and moved up to sixth despite a late rally from the away side.



POST MATCH REACTION:


Acting Head Coach, Adeyemi faced the media at the end of the NPFL classic and his words were transcribed belSunshinenshjne Stars media.


"I am very, very happy, although I know what my boys can do and we didn't change from the philosophy that is on ground. Even when we traveled to Jos we played them very well, but that is their own home.


"I give the boys kudos for what they have done. Now our target is to get a point off Wikki in our next match."


Sunshine XI: Lawal; James (Ozor 62'), Anioke, Uzoechi, Dauda; Nwaiwu, Cooper, Ajagbe (Awosanmi 62'); Adeniji (Olalusi 89'), Nwogbaga (Jimoh 54'), Olasupo (Hadi 54')


Unused Subs: Ariyo; Abe, Chilekwu, Pius Ojo 


Caution: 79'

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