Sunshine Stars hit with exit of key players

 

.Owena Whales play NPFL opener with 14 new signings

By Taofeek Babalola

Sportinglens.blogspot.com understands that several key players left Sunshine Stars of Akure to seek greener pasture elsewhere before the start of 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

According to reports from the team’s camp, the Owena Whales were largely decimated in the off season with the departure of key players such as hitman, Leonard Ugochukwu, Anthony Anioke, Ikenna Cooper, Chigozie Chilekwu, Onyeka Nwaiwu, Japhet Opubo.

Despite the exit, the Akure landlords have had quite a busy transfer window with the acquisition of some exciting talents, while some core players from last season such as Temitope Vincent, Mustapha Lawal, Azeez Ajagbe, Michael Olalusi, Ejike Uzoechi, Mutiu Dauda, Sunday Abe, Jide Jimoh, Samson Olasupo, David Ariyo, Promise Awosanmi, Kehinde Adeyemi and Habib Yakub are still very much in the fold.

However, the teams head coach, Edith Agoye is upbeat that the team have a team on ground that can compete and get results for Sunshine Stars in the new campaign.

"It's very clear that major players left at the end of last season, but we have been able to do a very good job in bringing in new players and the time we were afforded we have put it to a very good use and we are confident that we have a team on ground now that can compete and get results for Sunshine Stars," Agoye said.

However, Ajagbe, Dauda, Olasupo and Abe who are all battling health or fitness issues at the moment were not available for the opening game while a few others still need some more time to impress the new boss.

Given the fitness issues with some of the old guards, the match day one rooster was dominated by the new boys with 14 of them called up for the trip to the Northeast side, Doma United which ended 1-1.

The players include, Goalkeeper: Joseph Okonkwo joined from Ijebu United.  

*Defenders: Ekerete Udom joined from Dakkada, Dennis Iwuoha joined from Apex Krane, Imo Ikemdinachi joined from Apex Krane, Seun Olulayo joined from Rangers, Emmanuel Ogbuagu joined from Dakkada and Andrew Abalogu joined from Heartland.

*Midfielders: Achi Nnaemeka joined from Apex Krane, Joshua Akhabue joined from Lobi Stars, Muritala Lawal joined from Dakkada and Mafeng Pam joined from Plateau United.

*Attackers: Stephen Chukwude joined from Akwa United, Ibrahim Yusuf joined from Remo Stars and Abdulrahman Bashiru joined from ABS.

It is understood that the club will announce other new players and unveil them all together in time for the first home game of the season against Rivers United on Wednesday.