Sunshine Stars showed class from the get-go, nevertheless the first chance of Wednesday’s game fell to Rovers who were denied at goal mouth by David Ariyo after 10 minutes of play.

Five minutes later Leonard Ugochukwu was at the end of a sweeping team move, but could not troubled the goalkeeper with a tame effort at point blank.

Chilekwu grabbed the opener from the spot 25 minutes into the game, after the Calabar based side got penalised for a handball in the area.

Three minutes later Ikenna Cooper made it 2-0 for the Owena Whales, finishing off from Leonard Ugochukwu’s pass, however Rovers halve the deficit against the run of play at the stroke of half-time through Zuzu Benjamin.

11 minutes into the second half, substitute, Samson Olasuopo pounced on Michael Olalusi’s through ball to restore Sunshine Stars’ two-goal cushion.

Then Ariyo was on hand to deny the NNL campaigners a route back in the 58th minute, before Chilekwu completed his brace and extended the lead with a close range finish from Chinedu Ozor’s free kick four minutes later.

Chilekwu turned provider in the 90th minute by setting up Ozor who rounded up scoring for the Emmanuel Deutcsh tinkered boys with a smashing goal to close the game 5-1 for the Akure landlords.

Sunshine Stars will battle Katsina United at the Area Three Old Parade Ground, Abuja on Saturday for a place in the quarterfinals.

Sunshine XI | Ariyo; Ozor, Anioke, Adeyemi, Dauda; Nwaiwu (46′ Yakub), Abe (46′ Olalusi), Cooper; Chilekwu, Ugochukwu (75′ Olasupo), Vincent (75′ Jimoh) 

Unused Subs | Lawal, Opubo;  Bello, Uzoechi, Nwogbaga

Cautions | Ozor 31′  Chilekwu 59′

Chris Okunnuwa 
Media Head; SSFC
IG, FB & Twitter: @SunshineFCAkure 
Youtube: Sunshine Stars TV 

The game in Kano, which was destrupted by irate Pillars fans in the 80th minute after result stood goalless, had to be rescheduled while Pillars were docked 3points, handed a suspended 3points sanction and banished to Abuja by the LMC.

Our source, name withheld says the LMC can be likened to a bulldog that can only bark but can’t bite top NPFL clubs like Kano Pillars, who Thursday were involved in another mess that has brought the domestic league into disrepute, after their Chairman Yahaya Surajo assaulted an Assistant Referee.

As we clock down to the end of the season, the LMC must show fairness and not bias to all teams in the NPFL.

This as regards the 3points Katsina United should have been awarded by them (LMC), after ‘Untouchables’ Kano Pillars fielded seven ineligible players in an uncompleted NPFL match that was rescheduled.

Kano hosted the game but it was destrupted by some irate fans at 80th minute, then the LMC in its prompt decision ordered that the game be rescheduled to a new date and continued from 80th minute at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, where Pillars were banished to.

A new twist emerged in Abuja on the match day, as Kano Pillars produced a list of starting 11 which contained seven players that were not part of the game in Kano that was thrown into disarray.

This made Katsina United play the match under protest which according to the League Management Company (LMC) rule books, the match in Abuja was supposed to have the same team list that was used for the game in Kano.

Brilliant of Katsina United, they had the evidence as four out of the seven players started the game while the rest were on the bench. To nail Pillars finally, the goal scorer, Auwali Ali Malam was also among ineligible players.

Close to a month after the match in Abuja, the LMC are yet to deliberate or issue any statement concerning the protest filled to them, let alone punish Kano Pillars by deducting 3points from points ganarred this season and awarding Katsina United 3points, after Pillars breached the rules.

Aside from that, the Katsina United team bus Pillars fans destroyed, has not been fixed. The entire Katsina United team have been put into traumatic stress on match days, as they go to hire buses to move their players to venues or they stoop low, go begging other Katsina State Ministries to lend them any available coaster bus when they don’t have enough funds to hire one.

Lastly after vandalizing the team bus, Pillars fans looted the bus making away with handsets, other valuables of some players and whatever they could find like training equipment, which consists of kits and match balls.

The Katsina United management have not asked for too much, as the LMC should just award the team the 3points, 3goals, sanction Pillars management to fix the team bus and replace the players phones and training equipment that were carted away by their fans.

Azeez Ajagbe and Leonard Ugochukwu were on the score sheet as Sunshine Stars ended a five-game winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Katsina United at the Akure Township Stadium on Saturday.

It was a result many thought would be celebrated by the club but the Akure Club’s Coach Emmanuel Deutsch was not in any such mood for celebrations, insisting the placing of the club at the end of the season will determine the mood.

Deutsch did cut a relieved figure at full time was quick to dedicate the win to fans of the club.

“The victory is for Sunshine Stars fans. Everyone had been waiting for it and I am glad we have found the nets again. I am not happy yet, at least not until the end of the season when I know where the team finished,” Deutsch told www.npfl.ng.

“We are now scoring goals. I hope we continue this way. In the past few days, I saw strong connection and support from the fans. I really hope we can continue this way,” he concluded.

The Owena Whales went into the game under some pressure having failed to win a game since April, and the run looked set to continue following a goalless result at half time of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 30 fixture.

However, Ajagbe lashed on a loose ball to give Sunshine Stars a 58th-minute lead before Ugochukwu was brought down in the box, and the former Heartland FC attacker stepped up to convert the resulting penalty kick in the 85th minute.

The goals ended Sunshine Stars’ run of five matches without scoring a goal. The victory was also the first for the Owena Whales in their last seven matches against Katsina United.

MATCH STATS

Sunshine Stars XI

23. Japhet Opubo, 4. Habeeb Yakub, 5. John Bello, 11. Leonard Ugochukwu (Adebari 87′), 13. Ike Brandon (Kehinde 87′), 17. Azeez Ajagbe, 18. Ikenna Cooper (Awosanmi 55′), 28. Anthony Anioke, 30. Ebonam Nwogbaga, 33. Mutiu Dauda, 35. Vincent Temitope (Olalusi 55′) 

SUBS

22. Olufefemi Kayode, 3. Chigozie Chilekwu, 6. Chinedu Ozor, 10. Sunday Abe, 12. Kehinde Adeyemi, 26. Michael Olalusi, 29. Kamoru Adebari, 36. Joshua Erukusin, 38. Promise Awosanmi 

GOAL: Azeez Ajagbe 58′, Leonard Ugochukwu (PK) 85′

YELLOW CARD: Vincent Temitope 12′, Habib Yakub 36′

Katsina United XI

Nwabali Stanley 12, Franck C Kappe 22, Nasiru Sani 3, Usman Baru’u 4, Egbe Manyo 23, Gerome Heutchoukulong 2, Mustapha Salisu 16, Matthew Emmanuel 14 (Omoyele 66′), Ahmed Abdoul’taofeek 9 (Anayo 90′), Boubakar Talatou 27, Adebayo Waheed 32 (Madaki 88′)

SUBS

Elkana Godgift 1, Nafiu Ibrahim 24, Madaki Dauda 18, Aliyu Musa 35, Anayor Emanuel 17, Omaka Chukwudi 25, Tosin Omoyele 11, Hassan Abubakar 6, Amah Chibundu

GOAL: NIL

YELLOW CARD: Boubakar Talatou 36′, Stanley Nwabali 79′

Second placed Plateau United on Sunday secured a 3-1 win over Wikki Tourists in Jos to reduce Rivers United’s cushion at the summit of the table to four points. Plateau’s win was one of five home wins recorded out of the six Match Day 28 games decided on Sunday.
With league leaders Rivers United’s failure to extend their lead on Saturday, Plateau United knew only a home win over Wikki would put them back in contention and they got just that courtesy of two goals by Jesse Akila who started and ended scoring at the Zaria Road Stadium. Defender Buhari Ibrahim also scored his sixth goal of the season for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men while Ridwan Adesina netted for Wikki.
The gap between Plateau in second and the third placed side got widened to eight points after Remo Stars edged Rangers International 1-0 in Ikenne. Sikiru Alimi’s header four minutes before the break gave Gbenga Ogunbote side the crucial three points against their direct rivals for the third place contest.

Moving to fifth on the log is Kwara United who spanked neighbours Shooting Stars 3-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium. In the game played behind closed doors, Samad Kadiri gave the hosts the lead in the 38th minute before Issa Gata (60′) and former Shooting Star Ayobami Junior (68′) took the game beyond the visitors. Opeoluwa Olufemi got the consolation goal for 3SC in stoppage time.
Katsina United continued to give themselves hope in the race to avoid the drop when they beat Nasarawa United 1-0 in Katsina. Winger Waheed Adebayo scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute to lift Usman Abd’Allah’s side out of the relegation zone.

In Sunday’s early game, bottom of the table MFM FC defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode to also give themselves some hope against hope. Tunde Azeez and Oladayo Alabi scored either side of Jerry Alex’s goal for the Sai Masu Gida who remain 19th on the table.
In the only stalemate on MatchDay 28, former Sunshine Stars head coach Deji Ayeni led his new side Akwa United to Akure and forced out a 0-0 draw which ensured Akwa United (7th) stay three points clear of Sunshine (8th) on the log.
On Saturday, leaders Rivers United went down 2-0 to Heartland with goals from Sunday Chinedu and Chijioke Mbaoma while in Aba, Enyimba pipped a stubborn Lobi Stars side 2-1 courtesy of second half goals by Samuel Kalu and Samuel Stone. Samuel Ganda scored for Lobi late on. In Kaduna, Munir Idris scored again for Niger Tornadoes in their crucial 1-0 win over Gombe United to ease relegation worries.
Match Day 29 will take centre stage next weekend.

Sunday Results
MFM FC 2-1 Kano PillarsSunshine Stars 0-0 Akwa UnitedKwara Utd 1-0 Shooting StarsRemo Stars 1-0 RangersPlateau United 3 -1 Wikki TouristsKatsina United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Saturday
Heartland 2-0 Rivers UnitedEnyimba 2-1 Lobi StarsNiger Tornadoes 1-0 Gombe
P-P
Dakkada FC vs Abia Warriors

Katsina United FC and Shooting Stars FC U-15 sides have both made it through so the semi-final stage of the ongoing NPFL Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League, sponsored by ValueJet, with MTN standing strong as elite Partners.

shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan beat Sunshine Stars of Akure 2-1, while defending Champions, Katsina United peeped Wikki Tourists by a lone goal in the second match of the day to complete the semi final pairings.

Ajayi Samuel gave Shooting Stars the lead with volley from 20 yards out in the 9th minute while Juwon Adeyemi cancelled the lead for Sunshine 12 minutes later. The lads from Ibadan kept piling up the pressure and asking all the questions until Wahab Azan made it two in the 56th minute to ensure their semi final ticket is in the bag.

Coach of Shooting Stars FC, Adeyemo Ayodeji, in his post match briefing stated this: “The match was really tough for us, and I think it largely because our boys didn’t play to instructions. We hope to correct whatever mistakes made here today in our next game.

in the second match of the day, Abubakar Yasir’s 26th strike was all it took the defending Champions to book a semi final slot, as all efforts by the Bauchi based side to initiate a come back proved abortive.

Handler of Katsina United, Tukur Hassan in his post match reaction, said: “We have been facing this competition one game at a time and so far, it has worked for us. The boys actually played their hearts out in all departments and I’m proud of them.

Recall that this Katsina United side has qualified for the last four since the inception of the NPFL Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League in 2017, and lifting the coveted trophy in 2019 and 2021.

The semi final pairings of the U-15 Youth League will see Kano Pillars FC clashing with Remo Stars FC, and the second match of the day is a duel between Shooting Stars FC and Katsina United FC, on Thursday 5th May, 2022.

Seven–time African champions, the Flying Eagles will play in Group B of the WAFU B Championship alongside Ghana and Burkina Faso, with the tournament scheduled for 7th – 20th May in Niamey.

“I feel elated because nothing is better than representing your country and I give all the glory to Almighty Allah,” he mused.

“I just want to do my best and show the coaching crew my ability, make the family and the whole country proud.

“I believe Nigeria is one of the best footballing countries within Africa if not the best and I believe the coaches have the tactical know how together with the quality of the players within camp and with our determination and courage we will be able to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

On his target as a footballer, the exciting playmaker added: “I believe I can go very far within this career and I want to play for one of the 5 best teams in the world and with my dedication and hard work I want to win the world’s best player one day.”

‘I am very excited we won this game and I scored a brace to ensure victory is secured”, an elated Dauda said to www.npfl.ng and then threw the challenge to his mates “we must continue in this fashion to enable us stay safe on the league table.
He also commended Katsina United fans, noting that, “We are a great club with loyal fans and that loyalty deserves to be rewarded. We will do this by doing our best to remain on this league”.
Shooting Stars had drawn level eight minutes after resumption through Sochima Elum who struck a loose ball from close range to finish well.

Moments later, Tosin Omoyele combined with Destiny Ashadi before the former’s shot was handled in the opponent box by Ezeh Chidera for the referee to award a penalty to the home side as a result.

Dauda stepped forward to convert the resultant kick, grabbing his brace on the evening and putting his team ahead once more.

Substitute Aliyu Musa made it 3-1 from a well taken shot with three minutes left to end the game.

The win moves Katsina United to 17th on the log with 24 points from 22 games and they travel to face Gombe United on Sunday and then hosts Abia Warriors in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday.

Shooting Stars are 11th on the table with 30 points from 24 matches with their next fixture at home against Enyimba International on Sunday.

Man of the match: Madaki Alkali Dauda (Katsina United)

Caution: Omaka Chukwudi, Tosin Omoyele (Katsina United)

Katsina United Team List
Nwabali Stanley Gk 12, Frank Kappe 22, Nasiru Sani 3, Usman Barau 4, Habibu Yakubu 5, Egbe Stephen 23, Adebayo Waheed 32, Destiny Ashadi 20, Tosin Omoyele 11, Omaka Chukwudi 25, Madaki Alkali Dauda 18

Subs Used: Mustapha Salisu 16, Ahmed Taofeek 9, Mathew Emmanuel 14, Aliyu Musa 35

Unused Subs: Elkanah Godgift Gk 1, Abdulkareem Ahmed 10, Heutchoukulong Gerome 2, Faisal Sani 31, Abraham Nana Kwame 28

Shooting Stars Team List
Ogundare Detan GK 31, Ezeh Chidera 11, Anaekwe Ebuka 13, Isiaka Mutiu 2, Abbey Benson 15, Ezeala Uche 4, Enuademu Chinedu 7, Ewenike Achibi 36, Archibong Utibe 26, Uko Anietie 10, Malomo Taofeek 28, Sochima Elum 17

Subs Used: Opeoluwa Olufemi 24, Udoh Godwin 12

Unused Subs: Okanlawon Olaide GK 1, Augustine Bafan 14, Omololu Waheed 3, Adekunle Adeniyi 5, Raheem Quadry 29, Adejubu Ayo 27, Enuademu Chinedu 7

Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina

With title-chasing Rivers United and Plateau United not in action until Thursday, the spotlight shifted to the downside of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) standings where several teams continued the fight for another stint in the elite division.

Katsina United, on19th position before the start of Matchday 24 actions, shrugged off a stubborn Shooting Stars to record a 3-1 win that helps their fight to avoid relegation this season. Madaki Alkali Dauda had opened the scoring for Katsina United in the 34th minute, but Sochima Elum restored parity after he met a loose ball with a sweet strike in the 53rd minute. However, the Chanji Boys regained their lead after Dauda converted a 59th-minute penalty kick while Aliyu Musa’s goal in the 91st minute secured a vital win that lifts the hosts to the 17th spot.
In Makurdi, Endurance Ebedebiri put Lobi Stars ahead against Gombe United on the stroke of half time while Chinonso Okonkwo doubled the lead from the penalty spot on the hour mark. AlAmeen AlAmeen came off the bench to half the deficit for the visitors in the 76th minute but Lobi Stars held on for their first win in four games, and a climb to the 16th position.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars turned out in style to grab their first ever win over Dakkada in the NPFL. Following a 33rd-minute opener from Tolulope Ojo, the visitors gave a scare by drawing level through Dan Etido’s effort six minutes later. However, the Sky Blue Stars showed class in the second half as goals from Qudus Akanni, Andy Okpe, and Sikiru Alimi earned the hosts a 4-1 win and another charge on a qualification for a CAF spot next season.

Kwara United’s up and down form continued as Abia Warriors forced a 1-1 draw in Ilorin. Samuel Tiza had broken the deadlock few seconds before the half time, but Valentine Odoh’s goal, ten minutes into the second half, earned the visitors their fifth away point of the season.
The push of Rangers Internationals for a continental tournament next season was dented by a 2-1 defeat against Niger Tornadoes. Goals by Segun Alebiosu and Musa Wakili in the 33rd and 82nd minutes respectively sandwiched Kenechukwu Agu’s equalizer on the hour mark.
The remaining five fixtures for Matchday 24 will hold across different centres on Thursday.

NPFL Matchday24 Results (Wednesday)
Lobi Stars 2-1 Gombe United
Katsina United 3-1 Shooting Stars
Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Enugu Rangers
Kwara United 1-1 Abia Warriors
Remo Stars 4-1 Dakkada FC

Thursday’s fixtures
Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United
Akwa United vs Nasarawa United
MFM FC vs Wikki Tourists
Heartland FC vs Plateau United
Enyimba International vs Kano Pillars

Coach Azeez Mohammed, the coach of Katsina United has revealed how he was able to navigate through the relegation waters and keep the team in the league.

The coach joined the Changi boys mid-season when the team was deep in relegation struggles with just 5 victories in 19 games languishing in the 18th position with 18 points.

The coach understands the challenge at hand perfectly when he was appointed saying ‘ I want to take this challenge and I’m confident that we will turn things around.” and lived up to his words by keeping the team in the league at the end season.

The team added 31 points in the second stanza, almost doubled what they could muster in the first half of the league, and finishing in a respectable 12th position.

The multilingual coach told Sportspedal Media the secret behind the transformation in such a short time ” It’s just hard work” he said.

The former Ranchers bees player also attributes the success of the team to work on their players winning mentality and confidence which he said shows in results on the pitch.

“I also worked very hard on the boy’s confidence and mentality and I’m happy it worked for us,” said Coach Azeez.

The coach who returned from Sudan to coach in the NPFL also rates the league as improving and posited that a lot still has to be done.

” It has improved from what I know about the league before though it has issues that adjustment but it’s better than before” he concluded.

The successes can not only be explained by the passion that Monimichelle have for football, but also by the fact that some states have managed to set up sport infrastructures that are not different from those built in the other parts of Nigeria.

Below is a list of the 6 finest football stadiums built or refurbished by Monimichelle in Nigeria – a list chosen taking into account the capacity, attractiveness, comfort, and ability to host sporting events.

1. Enyimba International Stadium (Aba)

Located in Aba, Abia State, Enyimba International Stadium has a capacity of 16,000 seats. It hosts matches involving Enyimba FC.

The stadium has been used for continental and Nigeria Professional Football League games.

2. Onikan Stadium (Lagos)

Located on the southeastern corner of Lagos Island near Tafewa Balewa Square, the Onikan Stadium is asports complex. It has a capacity of 5,000.

The Stadium was given face lift by Monimichelle, with the turf and arena simply world class.

3. Samson Siasia Stadium (Yenagoa)

The edifice is located in Yenagoa. It is equipped with parking, and park & ride facilities for spectators.

The Samson Siasia Stadium, truly embodies the architectural innovation of Bayelsa.

It is the first environmentally friendly astro turf pitch in Africa, the coconut fiber infills on its lead free artificial grass and shock pad gave it a unique closeness to natural turf. The friendly astro turf pitch was built by Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd.

4. Muhammadu Dikko Stadium (Katsina)

The Muhammadu Dikko Stadium is located in Katsina. It is dedicated to football games with a capacity of 35,000 seats. This stadium remains one of the most beautiful sportive monuments in Northern region.

It officially opened in 2013.

5. Remo Stars Stadium (Ikenne)

The Remo Stars Stadium is located in Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and it is the home of Remo Stars. This attractive infrastructure was designed by Monimichelle.

6. Aper Aku Stadium (Makurdi)

Located in Makurdi, Aper Aku Stadium, as its name indicates, is a beautiful building with 15,000 seats. The stadium which is located at the heart of Makurdi is the home ground of Lobi Stars.

The 100% Natural Geo Technology Pitch was constructed by Monimichelle Sports.