NPFL: Fans urge ODSG to expedite Sunshine Stars’ return
By Femi Atolagbe
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As Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) enters week 8, football fans across Ondo state have called on the state government and management of the state Football Agency (ODSFA) to accelerate the return of Sunshine Stars back to the state.
“We read and heard of the good exploit of the team in the current season outside the state, we are appealing to the authority concern to ensure the return of the team back to Ondo State.
“We want to be watching and chearing our darling team to victory at home”
Recalled that League Management Company (LMC) before the commencement of the 2021/22 season had sanctioned Sunshine Stars to Ijebu Ode as their home for the season.
LMC said the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure is not fit to host NPFL matches consequently barred them to Ijebu – Ode.
Mr Alani Ayelabola who has been following Sunshine Stars over a decade in a chat with Sporting Hope said apart from the financial implication of prosecuting matches out side the state, we are seriously missing the team at home.
He said ,we heard they have signed new players and as a fans of many years I can’t even recognise any of the newly signed players less of seeing them in action.
“We are appealing to the management of the team to out all hands on deck to fast tract the return of Sunshine Stars back to Akure.
We heard they are trying to ensure the return of the team ,but we want them to make it fast, we very anscious to see these new players in action.”
Mr Kunle Adeleke added that he was convinced the players are doing fine but insisting he want to watch them live in Akure .
He said there is no place like home, playing in Ijebu- Ode is like playing in away, I commended the players for their determination which he said was the reason for their good outing.
According to him, the management should do the needful and meet up with the LMC standard for approval of the Akure Stadium.
Tunji Olopade on his own said : “There is no need to deny the fact that he want Sunshine Stars to return home, but if God say Ijebu -Ode is where they will give us continental ticket let them continue doing well over there. I’m even afraid some of the home fans, sometimes the way we boo and humiliate our own players are times is not even encouraging. I plead with everyone one of us that if eventually the tram us return to Akure, we should encourage them to continue with their fine form.”
Meanwhile a source closed to the ODSFA who did not want his name in print disclosed to Sporting Hope that the management of the team are doing everything to bring the team back to Akure.
The source said few days ago, some of our boss came back from Abuja after he had successful meeting with the LMC on the return of Sunshine Stars back to Akure.
The source said “I can assure you that the Deputy Governor and his management team are doing everything to bring the team back to Akure in no distance time,in fact they will come back before the end of February. If you go to the stadium in Akure ,you will see that renovation work have started on both the pitch and the score board. The dressing room are now in order ,after the completion of the work we will write and invite the LMC for another inspection which we hope will be positive on our side for the return of the team to base.” said the source .