Femi Atolagbe

Sunshine Stars FC of Akure yesterday drew 1-1 against Rivers United in the second match of the group B Abridged Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) decided at the Ondo State Sports complex, Akure.

Rivers took the lead in the 23rd minute through an own goal. Sunshine Stars were not down with the undeserved goal against them, rather they approached the remainder of the first half of the encounter with a renewed energy to get a leveller which eluded them before the center referee signalled the end of the first stanza.

Sunshine Stars waited till 80th minute before they equalized from penalty kick after Rivers United player handled the ball inside the box.

The Akure Landlords, defender Ejike Uzoechi stepped forward to take the penalty which he sent the visitors goalkeeper to wrong side and score from the spot to give his side a leveller. Both sides tried to make a difference with beautiful moves which were unsuccessful as the game ended 1-1.

In a chat with newsmen after the encounter, Sunshine Stars head coach, Edith Agoye said it was two points lost for his side, saying considering the chances created by his side in both halves and the fact they had to wait for a penalty before equalizing .

Agoye said if all those chances created were converted, the result would have been different. He conceded that Rivers United are a good team he expressed his disappointment in their style of play.

He said: They were falling down unnecessary, wasting time and delaying the flow of the game, football are for fans to enjoy and not the other way”.

“The way they played in the second half was not worthy of a Nigerian league defending Champions”.

“To take a point was a position of defeat, we will take that and in our next game we will make up for the two points lost today.”

On his side, Rivers United Coach, Stanley Eguma said a point from away is better than nothing , saying it was not their plan to draw but defeat Sunshine Stars at home.

Eguma said: The result did not reflect the standard of the game, the way we played in the first half we would have scored at least three goals from many chances we created but my players were not clinical enough to convert the chances.

I commend Sunshine Stars for coming back stronger in the second half to get the penalty and drew level with us”.