By Femi Atolagbe

Ondo State Football Stakeholders Forum, OSFSF, and the State Chapter of the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) have congratulated Sunshine Stars over their Super Six qualification on the final match day of the Abridged Nigeria Professional premier League.

They also congratulated the State Government, Management, Technical Staff, Players, and Supporters Club of Sunshine Stars of Akure for the club’s qualification for the Super 6 Play-Off.

The Convener of the Forum and Pioneer Secretary of Ondo State Football Agency, ODSFA, Otunba Dele Ologbese in chat with Newsmen commended Sunshine Stars players and the coaching crew for a job well done.

The President of Ologbese Global Sports Management also praised the Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa for his focus in transforming the Club into a formidable outfit. 

Ologbese added that the Abridged League is most difficult one to play compared to full blown league, saying Sunshine Stars have put smiles on the face of football fans and all stakeholders within and outside the State. 

He noted that the job is not yet done urging the team to brace up in winning the Super six scheduled to hold in Lagos in couples of weeks in Lagos towards securing continental ticket to represent the country in CAF Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup after thirteen years. 

According to him, “the team must be more focused than ever before, that football stakeholders in the state are solidly behind the it” 

“Go to Lagos and demonstrate to the whole world that your Super Six qualification in NPFL was not a fluke as you have quality players to win the league. 

The immidiate past Ondo State Football Association’s Vice Chairman also urged the management of ODSFA to do all within their capacities in ensuring that Sunshine Queens return to the female Elite League next season. 

He said: “Sunshine Queens are the only team that had won trophy for the State in its history and on this note, football stakeholders are appealing to the Commissioner of Sports and all management staff of the Club to support our only female team to return back to Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL)”.   

“We call on all football lovers in Ondo State to rally round Sunshine Queens FC as they headed to Abuja for their playoff. It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that the former female FA winners return to Elite league”

The SWAN caretaker chairman, Olufemi Dairo in a release made available to newsmen by the association’s secretary, Adewale Momoh said the success did not just come on a platter of gold, but through the hard work, dedication, commitment, and prayers of all concerned at the club with the aim of putting the club’s name at the center stage of football in Nigeria.

Sport writers in the state urge the players to continue in high spirits and not relent on their oars as they prepare for the Super 6 play-off, believing that they could even go on and win the league and in the process qualify for continental football.

We also use this medium to appreciate the Commissioner for Sports, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, and the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, for their relentless efforts, support, and encouragement for the team to achieve success.