Ajibola Otegbeye scored the only goal from the spot as Sunshine Stars FC edged a spirited Akwa United FC side in a week 33 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Dipo Dina Stadium on Sunday, codedreporter.blogspot.com.ng gathers.
Sunshine Stars dominated the highly pulsating encounter from the start and got the reward for their persistence probbing just inside the first 15 minutes when Akwa United defence line under early pressure conceded a penalty for a foul on Otegbeye. The striker stepped up and converted for his fifth goal of the season to hand the home side the advantage amidst protest from United goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo.
Sunshine Stars remained on the front foot after the goal and came close to extending the lead on the 23rd minute through Abiodun Joseph but United goalkeeper, Ojo made a top of the drawer save to deny the winger, while at the other end, Henry Ayodele had to be at his best to prevent Ibrahim Alhassan's screamer from going in.
After the half hour mark Ojo tipped a Sunday Abe's well taken free kick over and at the stroke of half time the shot stopper again denied his former side a second after a beautiful team play on the break carved an opening for Joseph to shoot at goal.
Nine minutes after the restart Seun Olulayo had his goal bound effort blocked to safety. On the 72nd minute Akwa United had a penalty appeal waved away following Henry collision with Musa Newman inside area.
Stars had a chance to kill off the game with 10 minutes remaining but Olorunleke was quickly off his line to stop Otegbeye from getting his second of the day.
The game climaxed into a nail-biting ending as the visitors had another penalty appeal for a handball rejected during added time. The Promise Keepers will rue their luck when their last chance from a goal mouth scramble agonisingly missed the target by a whisker seconds before the final whistle.
In the end, Sunshine Stars secured maximum points to move up to 11th on the current NPFL with 45 points and next face Rangers FC in Enugu on match day 34.
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