The Deputy Governor of Ondo State and Chairman, Ondo State Football Agency Management Committee, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa has congratulated Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper, Mustapha Lawal on his League Bloggers Award (LBA) honour.
Lawal was named Player Of The Month (POTM) for January following his exploits in the month under review and the award was presented to him before the kick off of Sunday’s game with Kwara United in Ijebu Ode at the request of the LBA organisers.
Member of ODSFA management committee, Prince Babatunde Ogunja was on ground to carry out the honour on behalf of the Club’s boss, Aiyedatiwa.
Aiyedatiwa congratulated the young goalkeeper on the award and admonished him not rest on his oars during a chat with Sunshine Stars’ Media.
“I congratulate Mustapha on his award; he has done exceptional well to earn it and I urge him and the team not to get complacent, but put more effort.
“The honour was on merit; the organisers were objective and I want to thank the League Bloggers for this. It’s a honour to have the award bestowed on one of our players.” Aiyedatiwa stated.
Visibly happy Lawal was quick to expressed gratitude to God and his team while reacting to the honour.
“I feel very very excited and I want to thank Almighty Allah for winning the award, it’s not easy for a goalkeeper to win the Player Of The Month.
“I want to thank my teammates, coaching crew and fans for the support.” Lawal submitted.
Chris Okunnuwa
Media Head; SSFC
MATCH REPORT: SUNSHINE STARS 1-0 KWARA UNITED
Abdul Taofeek’s first minute goal proved decisive as Sunshine Stars beat Kwara United at the Dipo Dina Stadium to get their first win in February on board.
The Owena Whales headed into Sunday’s game looking to end a winless run that spanned five matches and it took them just 48 seconds to grab the advantage in the match day 14 contest.
Leonard Ugochukwu drew a foul from the Harmony Boys just after the kick off and Emma James’ cross from the resulting free kick was headed on target by Kamoru Adebari; Dele Aiyenugba could only repelled as far as Taofeek who poked home on the rebound.
The encounter took a stop-start dimension after the goal, nontheless Stephen Jude was able to muster an attempt at equaliser afterward, however his header off a teasing cross was off target.
Then Mutiu Dauda rattled Aiyenugba with a dangerous free kick in the 26th minute and 13th minutes later, Mustapha Lawal who received his League Bloggers POTM award before kick off responded with a save of his own, off a similar dead-ball situation at the other end.
While clear cut opportunities were at premium all game, the visitors almost conjure a match defining moment from a counter-attacking move, but Dauda recovered timely to spare the hosts’ blushes with Lawal drawn out of his line already.
In the the end, Taofeek’s first goal in orange and blue jersey was enough for the Deji Ayeni tinkered side to claim all points and move up to 11th on the table with a game in hand.
POST MATCH REACTIONS🎙
Ayeni delegated his second assistant, Folarin Kamil Suleiman (Lama) to fill in for him at the post match presser. Lama’s words were transcribed below by Sunsbine Stars’ Media.
“It was a highly tactical game today, though we didn’t play to expectation, but we are happy with the three maximum points. The early minute goal give us the victory and we thank God for that.
“Because we have not been winning the pressure was on us today and we couldn’t play as we normally do but now that we have returned to winning ways, we will keep winning again. A win in our outstanding game will take us higher in the table; we are going to play better and win that game”
Sunshine Stars hosts Wikki Tourists in a rescheduled match day one fixture on Wednesday.
Sunshine XI | Lawal; James (C), Anioke (Uzoechi 70′), Sholumade, Dauda; Cooper, Ajagbe; Pius Ojo (Olalusi 50′), Adebari (Chilekwu 50′), Taofeek (Nwogbaga 90+1′), Ugochukwu (Nwaiwu 90+1′)
Unused Subs | Opubo; Abe, Erukusin, Awosanmi
Cautions | Anioke 18′ Lawal 88′
Chris Okunnuwa
Media Head; SSFC
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