By Femi Atolagbe
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Sunshine Stars Coach, Edith Agoye has commended his players for their display against their federation Cup tie opponents, Basira FC.
Agoye stated this after his side knocked the Lafia’s side out of the 2023 Federation Cup at the Confluence stadium, Lokoja.
He said: “Basira FC are not pushovers, they played very well and gave a good fight no doubt, but the better side won.”
Sunshine Stars football club of Akure knocked Basira FC of Lafia out of the round 64 of the federation Cup with 2-0 victory .
David Onovo gave the Akure base team the lead 11 minutes Into the game after receiving a pass from Midfield maestro Achi Nnaemeka .
Sunshine Stars showed dominance and composure immediately after the goal and quickly added a second from the spot.
Vincent Temitope dazzled and displaced three defenders from the edge to the vital area and was pulled down by one of the Basira FC players. .
Yusuf Ibrahim took the penalty as he sent the FC Basira’s goalkeeper the wrong side to extend Sunshine Stars lead in the 27th minute
The first stanza of the encounter ended 2-0 in favour of Sunshine Stars. The restart of the game saw Michael Olalusi, replacing AbdulAziz Ajagbe.
Olalusi combination with Emeka Isaac and Achi Nnaemeka became a challenge for Basira FC who engaged in hard tackles on Sunshine stars players
In the 56th minute state FA cup heroes, Jide Jimoh alongside Samson Olasupo were thrown into the fray to replace David Onovo and Ibrahim Yusuf
Clear cut chances were however limited in the dying minutes of the encounter for Sunshine Stars as Basira FC pushed for a consolation that never came.
In the 84th minute Ejike Uzoechi and Chukwude Stephen were introduced to replace Emeka Isaac and Vincent Temitope respectively to stabilize offensive play of the opponents’.
Efforts by Basira FC to get a goal in the closing stage of the encounter were clinically handled by star defenders; Emmanuel Ogbuagu, Ekerette Udom, Imo ikemdinachi, Okoh Afamefuna to contend with as the match ended 2-0 in favour of Sunshine Stars
The victory earned the pride of Ondo state a round of 32 qualifications in the FA Cup.
Up next for Sunshine Stars is an Elite League tie against Bayelsa United in Yenegoa this weekend.
