By Femi Atolagbe

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Two goals from Michael Olalusi was all Sunshine Stars Football Club needed to knock Standard FC of Kaduna out of 2023 Federation Cup and grabbed the round of 16 ticket of the oldest football competition in the country.

The round of 32 encounter between both sides were decided at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

Michael Olalusi magically slotted home through a volley to put the Edith Agoye tutored side ahead in the 13th minute .

The kaduna based team made immediate efforts in getting an equalizer but Sunshine Stars defense provided answers to their questions.

The first stanza of the entertaining encounter ended 1-0 in favour of the Akure Landlords.

Sunshine Stars pushed to extend their lead but were not able to connect well for the chances created few minutes into the restart of the game.

Agoye made his first substitution in the 57th minute, throwing Jide Jimoh and Samson Olasupo into the fray in replace of Vincent Temitope and John Chukwudi respectively.

Seven minutes after his introduction, Jide Jimoh had a collision with the Standard FC’s goalkeeper,which took the presence of medics to revive him.

The kaduna based side pressurized moments later but couldn’t unlock Sunshine Stars backline.

Michael Olalusi again increased Sunshine Stars lead with a second goal in the 77th minute, this time picking his angle at the edge of the penalty area and slotting home to the admiration of football fans at the sporting arena .

In the 80th minutes Abdulaziz Ajagbe was introduced to replace Cletus Emotan Eba .

Ejike Uzoechi was however given a chance to play in the 90th minute, coming on for Michael Olalusi

The match ended 2-0 in favour of Sunshine Stars with the round of 16 ticket in the kitty.

The Ondo State football side will be up against Rivers United on Monday in of the rechedules Nigeria Premier Football League in Port Harcourt.