Sadeeq Yusuf scored twice to help Sunshine Stars overcome visiting Abia Warriors in Sunday’s Matchday 28 fixture at the Ondo State Sports Complex.
Following an early injury which forced off Sunshine Stars’ captain, Sunday Abe, the game eventually opened up with a goal in the 20th minute. Yusuf, who came into the game off the back of a five-game goal drought, benefited from a mix-up in the opposition defense to calmly net his 10th goal of the season.
However, Abia Warriors pegged the host back in the 40th minute. Paul Samson beat the offside trap to restore parity just before half time.
The celebration of the visitors was short-lived as Yusuf showed his predator’s instinct four minutes later. The former Kano Pillars forward positioned himself well to score from close range having been found by a pass from Ifegwu Ojukwu.
Abia Warriors made four changes early in the second half and one of the new entrants, Mustapha Jibreel, proved to be a menace for the opposition defense. Jibreel’s best moment of the game came in the 74th minute when he beat a cluster of defenders to set up Samson but the latter failed to convert from a vantage position.
Sunshine Stars held on for their second home win in as many home games for new head coach Deji Ayeni. The Akure-based club is now placed 18th on the league standings, three points from safety. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors occupy the 13th position with 35 points from 27 games.
What next?
Sunshine Stars will next visit Kwara United next weekend while Abia Warriors host rivals Enyimba in a rescheduled Matchday 21 fixture during the week.
SUNSHINE XI
21. Saliu Suleiman, 2. Emmanuel James, 9. Sadeeq Yusuf, 10. Sunday Abe (Ewelike 8′), 12. Kehinde Adeyemi, 14. Ajani Ibrahim, 16. Uzoechi Ejike, 17. Waheed Adebayo, 31. Ifegwu Ojukwu (Olulayo 89′), 33. Jamiu Alimi (Abisoye 89′), 39. Michael Olalusi (Quazeem 33′)
SUBS
23. Uche Okafor, 5. Olawale Abisoye, 6. Seun Olulayo, 18. Quazeem Obanigba, 13. Bello Babatunde, 15. Sherif Amuda, 24. Ayo Akinlose, 26. Edozie Ewelike, 38. Akindoyin Nasiru
GOALS: Sadeeq Yusuf 20′, 44′
YELLOW CARD: Emmanuel James 53′
ABIA WARRIORS XI
22 Vincent Edafe, 25 Udochukwu Anumudu (Mohammed 81′), 37 Njoku Chimezie, 17 Daniel Wotlai, 2 Harrison Ibukun (Ojobo 47′), 15 Adekunle Adeleke, 10 Anthony Okemmiri (Jibreel 47′), 4 Fatai Abdullahi (Yakubu 47′), 3 Ajibola Adeleke(Utibe 47′), 21 Godwin Obaje, 7 Paul Samson
SUBS
30. Olorunleke Ojo, 23 Kabiru Mohammed, 13 Innocent Gabriel, 26 Mustapha Jibreel, 19 Samuel Christain, 8 Utibe Arit, 12 Hammed Yakub, 20 Markson Ojobo, 29 Ogar David
GOALS: Paul Samson 40′
YELLOW CARDS: Fatai Abdullahi 25′, Hammed Yakubu 76′
