Sunshine Stars of Akure moves out of relegation zone for the first time three months after securing away victory against Heartland FC.
The Owena Whales defeated the Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side 1-0 in the week 31st encounter of the Nigeria professional football league match played at the Dan Ayiam stadium stadium in Owerri.
Ifegwu Ojukwu scored the only goal of the encounter in the 64th minute. Kolade Adeniji set the stage for the match defining moment when he surged forward with the ball before serving Ojukwu to spinhome a cross that was misjudged by Chijioke at the stroke of thehour mark.
Attacking duo of Fuad Ekelojuoti and Sadeeq Yusuf also missed some chances to double the lead for the Deji Ayeni side later on.
First it took a last ditch slide tackle to deny Yusuf his 12the league goal of the season, before veteran goalkeeper, Chijioke Ejiogu reacted promptly to stop Ekelojuoti from pouncing on the match hero’s low cross.
Heartland FC pressed for an equaliser and it almost arrived six minutes after Sunshine Stars opener. Pascal Eze nodded the ball just a few inches away from Sunshine’s goal.
Heartland again, should have equalised in the 88th minute, but Chijioke Akuneto failed to put the ball away.
Sunshine Stars back line held firm for the final minutes to secure the win that gave them a leap up to 16th on the log with 33 points.
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