There was nothing to separate Sunshine Stars FC and Rangers International of Enugu as both sides played out a goalless draw in Wednesday’s NPFL match day three match at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode.
Needing to get up and running in the new campaign, Sunshine Stars poise began to show as early as the seventh minute when Bello Babatunde struck a freekick just off the target.
Shortly, the hosts were relieved to see the Flying Antelopes dragged an effort wide from a well worked out chance inside the area.
Samson Olasupo thought he had opened his NPFL account for the Owena Whales in the 21st minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside after receiving a well-timed ball from Leonard Ugochukwu.
It was a day of near misses for the Deji Ayeni tinkered boys, dominating possessions and territory in both halves, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
As the game grew older, debutant, Promise Awosanmi wriggled his way into the opponent’s area and sent a ball across the face of goal with no one to apply the final touch.
Ugochukwu tried nick it for the hosts after powering his way through deep into added time but his effort was agonizingly charged down inside the area, ending the affair in a barren draw.
Coaches Post Match Thoughts
Ayeni: ” being a youthful side, I can see some little level of nervousness and lack of calmness in front of goal. The boys gave a good account of themselves but conversion is our major problem at the moment and we will work on it. I want to implore everyone to be patient with the team, we will find our bearing and everything will be okay.
“Enyimba won away and went home to lose, so there is no team that is invincible; our next game (versus Rivers United) could produce our with first win. This league will be a big marathon with a lot of mix grill.”
Abdul Maikaba: “it’s a very good game from both sides. Sunshine Stars is a young team that I believe will improve with time. We (Rangers) didn’t play to our potentials, but we are happy with the point.”
Sunshine XI Mustapha Lawal; Chinedu Ozor, Anthony Anioke, Bolu Sholumade, Chigozie Chilekwu; Babatunde Bello (C), Azeez Ajagbe (Michael Olulasi 79′), Hadi Mohammed (Promise Awosanmi 58′); Nwogbaga Ebonam (Vincent Temitope 70′) Samson Olasupo (Kamaru Adebari 79′), Leonard Ugochukwu
Unused Substitutes David Ariyo, Kehinde Adeyemi, Ejike Uzoechi, Cooper Ikenna, Onyeka Nwaiwu
Cautions Ozor 23′ Bello 63
