By Chris Okunnuwa, Head Media; Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars and Nasarawa United could not be separated in an NPFL meeting across two-day at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
A lively start to the matchday 15 tie gifted Tolu Oluwole a real sight at goal but the lanky forward found Danlami Umar unbeaten from point-blank.
The early rush continued from the hosts as a youngster, Ayo Adejubu troubled Umar with a decent effort from around the edge.
Nasarawa United were not without chances of their own; they saw an effort rolled across the face of goal in the 11′ with Sunshine backline bridged, and five minutes later Adamu Hassan blasted high in front of goal for the Solid Miners.
In the 23′ Adejubu, while getting set to unleash inside the area went down under a challenge but the referee appeared unconvinced.
The game was suspended at the conclusion of the first period on Sunday, following a claim of security concerns by the officiating team.
The restart on Monday morning saw Sunshine played with renewed urgency and should have broken the deadlock in the 66′ when Tope Akande and Ibrahim Ajani combined to set up Ugonna from Sunday Abe’s free-kick but were denied by a goalmouth clearance.
Goalkeeper Uche Okafor had to stay alerted to spare the Owena Whales’ blushes from a miscued clearance 18 minutes from time.
The midfielder, Stephen Begbaji was hacked down in the box, but the ref looked away amid Sunshine Stars’ scream for penalty moments before the contest was brought to an end goalless.
COACH GBENGA OGUNBOTE’S POST MATCH QUOTES 🎙
“Eight games without a win is really unfortunate. You will do your best, but along the line, other challenges creep in. But we will get better as we advance in the league.”
“As an independent body, I challenge you (media), you can speak for the world on what you have seen here in terms of officiating.”
SUNSHINE XI | Okafor; Abe (C), Akande, Abisoye, Olulayo, Adeyemi, Yakub (Ugonna), Yusuf (Begbaji), Adebayo, Oluwole (Ocheme), Adejubu (Ajani)
UNUSED SUBS | Suleiman; Akobundu, Oladuntoye, Adeniyi, Akinlose
CAUTIONS | Olulayo 25′ Oluwole 37′ Abe 58′ Adeyemi 58′
