Femi Atolagbe
Goals from Azeez Ajagbe and Ike Brandon in both half of the matchday 35 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) were all Sunshine Stars needed to compound MFM relegation trouble.
The Akure based side defeated MFM FC 2-1 at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure to remain in 7th position in the log, while MFM were swimming at the bottom of the log with just 36 points.
Azeez Ajagbe tapped in from Leonard Ugochukwu pass in the 12th minute to put the Akure landlords ahead in the south west derby.
MFM swift reaction to the goal was not enough to draw level as the Owena Whales Goalkeeper, Japhet Opubo denied the Lagos based side with his beautiful reflex in the 26th minute.
Further goal were elusive in the first half as the referee signalled for break.
Sunshine Stars came out more aggressively at the restart of the encounter with MFM taming them from the midfield .
The homers got a breakthrough for the second goal of the day via Ike Brandon’s solo move in the 61st minute.
MFM in other hands refused to be weighed down despite trailing with two goals.
The resilience Olukoya Boys pulled one goal back in the 75th minute through substituted Nduka David.
The Sunshine Stars glovesman, Opubo saved calmly from dangerous attacks in the 88th minute to ensure all the points were kept in the kitty.
Sunshine Stars Coach, Emmanuel Deutsch urged his side to remain focus till the end of the season, but kept silent on the the team season’s target which is to play at continental level.
He conceded that the match was not easy, adding that it’s always difficult to play relegated threatening teams.
He said we thanked God that we utilised our chances which gave us advantage over our visitors.
His MFM counterpart, Coach Festus Allen said “We will continue to fight till the end of the league ,it’s not yet over for us, hopes have not yet lost over the relegation survival of the team.”
NPFL: Sunshine Stars 2- 1 MFM
