Edith Agoye, the Chief Coach of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, on Sunday stated that their “qualification for the NPFL Super Six was not an easy journey”.
Agoye, while thanking his players and football fans in the state for their support immediately after their Match Day 18 fixture in Akure, said “all thanks must go to God for the success”.
“The qualification for the Super Six was not an easy journey for us. We thank God for hitting the target of qualifying as one of the best three teams in Group B,” the former Shooting Stars forward said.
He however expressed optimism that Sunshine Stars would perform well in the Super Six slated for Lagos in June.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunshine Stars qualified for the Super Six after defeating Dakkada FC of Uyo 3-0 at the Ondo Sports Complex in Akure.
The win helped them to clinch the last Super Six slot in Group B of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
They secured the ticket to the Super Six competition, which would decide the eventual winners of the 2022/2023 NPFL, ahead of Abia Warriors who were level with them on 27 points.
Sunshine Stars edged Abia Warriors on goals difference to finish third, while Doma United ended fifth with 26 points.
Michael Olalusi put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute from a free-kick over 20 yards out.
He then missed the chance to make it a brace some moments later after fluffing a penalty kick.
Midfielder Achi Nnaemeka extended his side’s lead with a shot from 27 yards out in the 26th minute, while Udom Ekerette’s header to a cross in the 83rd minute made it 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Head Coach of Dakkada FC, Danlami Umar, while speaking with NAN said the match was not a bad game for his side.
He added that his team would go back to the drawing board to look at how they would return the team to the elite league.
Umar however said he was not afraid of being sacked by the team’s management, saying “it was not my fault that the team was relegated.