NPFL: Sunshine Stars defeat Ikorodu City in seven-goal thriller

Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-3 encounter against Ikorodu City on Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State, as the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) got underway.
The Owena Whales took the lead in the 16th minute, courtesy of new signing Liman Ahmadu, who lobbed the ball past the Ikorodu City goalkeeper. Just four minutes later, Promise Awosanmi doubled Sunshine Stars’ advantage, pouncing on a rebound from Elmer Arunta’s shot. Emmanuel Ofori’s brilliant save in the 25th minute denied Ikorodu City a goal before substitute Dabani Alao extended Sunshine’s lead with his first touch of the ball, finishing off Ogechukwu Ogbu’s cross to make it 3-0.
Ikorodu City began their comeback just before halftime, with Shola Adelani reducing the deficit to 3-1. Adelani struck again in the 63rd minute, bringing the visitors within touching distance at 3-2. However, the relentless Alao restored Sunshine Stars’ two-goal cushion in the 74th minute, completing his brace with a clinical finish. In stoppage time, Alade Solomon found the back of the net for Ikorodu City, but Sunshine Stars held firm to secure all three points.
As of the time of filing this report, Sunshine Stars sit tentatively in 12th place on the NPFL log with 24 points.
Speaking after the match, Sunshine Stars’ Head Coach, Bobola Akinfolarin, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting the improvement in their goal-scoring abilities. “It’s not a bad result. In the first round, we struggled to convert chances, but today we scored as many as four goals. It’s a work in progress,” Akinfolarin said. He added that the team would focus on addressing their defensive lapses ahead of future matches.
Sunshine Stars will next travel to Yenagoa to face Bayelsa United in their matchday 21 fixture.