Match Report: Sunshine Stars vs Lobi Stars

Recap

Samson Olasupo stars as Sunshine turned up the style to see off Lobi Stars with a first half blitz in an NPFL match day nine contest at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode on Saturday.

Deji Ayeni restored Olasupo back into the starting line up following his late omission in the previous meeting with Akwa United and the youngster rewarded the gaffer with a brace in the big victory of Lobi Stars.

Olasupo opened his NPFL goal account inside the opening nine minutes of the encounter with an improvised finish that gave Lobi Stars’ goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali no chance after an eye-catching control.

It was 2-0 to the Whales seven minutes later as Leonard Ugochukwu squeezed home from Kolade Adeniji’s brilliant square ball.

Olasupo completed his brace in the 26th minute by smashing home on the volley off Ugochukwu’s deft flick.

Lobi got a sniff at the goal in the 33rd minute through Austin Ogunye who fired just high from a chance just inside the area.

Sunshine Stars could have added to the scoreline through Adeniji who almost scored a wordie, off a pile driver at the stroke of halftime.

Three minutes into the restart Mustapha Lawal, now with seven six clean sheets in eight matches denied the Pride of Benue with a brilliant save off a dangerous freekick.

The second half produced no goal as the visitors ensured no further damage is done to the scoreline while the hosts stood firm, with good game management to deny the Eddy Dombraiye tutored side a route back into the contest.

Sunshine Stars have now climbed to fifth on the log with 13 points from eight matches and next visit Katsina United on matchday 10.

Sunshine XI | Mustapha Lawal; Habeeb Yakub, Anthony Anioke, Bolu Sholumade, Mutiu Dauda; Babatunde Bello, Cooper Ikenna (Sunday Abe), Azeez Ajagbe (Michael Olalusi); Kolade Adeniji (Pius Ojo), Samson Olasupo (Promise Awosanmi), Leonard Ugochukwu (Kamaru Adebari)

Unused Subs | Japhet Opubo; Sunday , Kehinde Adeyemi

Cautions | Yakub 47′ Dauda 80′