Exclusive Reporters

…Says we remain indivisible entity

The Ondo State All Stars Veterans’ election was ‘no victor, no vanquished,’ the President of the association, Hon. Adebayo Abayomi Opeoluwa, has declared.

Opeoluwa made this statement while meeting with the executive members of the association in Akure, the state capital.

He added that the association remains a unified and indivisible entity, noting that the election is now behind them, and the focus should be on how to improve Ondo State All Stars Veterans and elevate it to the same level as other All Stars across the nation.

He said: “To achieve this, I call on all members of the Ondo State All Stars Veterans to come together and support the current executive to uplift the association.”

“We are going to run an open-door administration, where all members of the association will be treated equally.”

According to him, in order for the association to be more effective, they have appointed the duo of Mr Oluwafemi Filegbe (CEO FAM Guest House) as Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Mr Segun Oyedeji (Bobbyzua) as Assistant Captain, respectively.

The President urged the newly appointed officers to discharge their duties effectively and diligently.

Other executive members present at the meeting included; Mr Oluwole Ajayi, Vice President; Prince Aderombi Joshua Adeleye, General Secretary; Mr Ogunkoyode Isaac, Financial Secretary; Mr Adeuyi Olusegun, Treasurer; Mr Ayeloja Abideen, Team Manager; Mr Lanre Akunruli, Team Captain; and Mr Akinrolabu Shade, Welfare/Social Director.

Team Cherry has defeated Team Apple 3-1 to emerge winners of the 2024 Ijapo Ages Stars FC Intra Club (IASFC) competition played at Ijapo Housing/field.

Team Cherry had defeated Team Apple through penalty shootout having played a 2-2 draw in the regulation time in final tie.

Shayo Olayeni gave Apple early lead in the entertaining final before Femi Kolawole responded swiftly with two quick goals to the admiration of the spectators at the sporting arena.

Team Cherry jubilation were cut short as Monday Joseph levelled for Apple to take the encounter to straight penalty which ended in favour of Cherry who ended the competition unbeaten.

Tope John Ayomide Francis won highest goal scorer and best Goalkeeper of the competition respectively, while Coach Lawal Saliu Adegbola was honoured with Award of Excellence for his contribution to the success of the competition.

Chairman of the organising committee, Mr Shalom Olaseeni while congratulating the winners of the 2024 edition of the competition,said all the participating teams are champions.

He commended members of the Organising Committee and the entire club for their support which led to the successful Organising of the competition.

He declared that next edition of the competition will be much better, saying some lapses discover will be improved on.

“We are all winners, I congratulate Team Cherry for the feat they recorded in this edition, I urge others to start preparation for the next edition of the competition”.

Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure have added 21 players to their squad ahead of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Leading the pack of the newly signed players are Seth Mayi, goalkeeper Emmanuel Ofori, Achi Nnaemeka who reunited with the team after spending two seasons with Remo Stars, Lucky Vandy (Gombe United), goalkeeper Obiazor David (Bendel Insurance), Seidu Salisu (Plateau United) and Stephen Chukwude who also returned from Heartland FC.

Other are Peace Dewan (Gombe United), Yusuf Olowoshile (Bendel Insurance), Adamu Umar (Doma United) Dozie Umea (Gombe United)), Arunta Elmer (Enugu Rangers), Benjamin Iluyomade (Abia Comet), Segun Owoade (Inter Lagos) and Ismail Ayodele (Osun United).

The rest are Olaoluwa Okiki(Soccer talent Academy), Adeolu Gabriel (Solution FC), Manuwa Kayode and (Agbo Boys Academy).

Shettima Mongulo, Oluwole Kehinde, Ismail Amid and Precious Olowojesiku joined from the Sunshine Stars youth team.

Speaking at the event, President of Sunshine Stars, Bamidele Ologunloluwa appreciated the players for making the Akure-based side their first choice in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Ologunloluwa assured the players of a better welfare package and charged them to give their best to be part of positive history.

“Our target as far as the 2024/25 NPFL programme is concerned is to compete for the top spot and play in CAF organized competition.

“I wish you all the best as we begin the journey of nine months together.”

Chairman of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens supporters club, Tunde Adeboboye urged the players to show more commitment and play with their hearts.

“Sunshine Stars are a big team in Nigeria Premier Football League, I advise that you give your best to showcase your talents.”

Speaking on behalf of the players Sunshine Stars Captain, David Ariyo, thanked the management of the team for their support saying their coaches have prepared well for the task ahead.

“We understand that we are playing in our adopted home, Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, we know what it means but we are condemned to win and we will win.”

“Our fans are expecting much from us and we promised them that we will do our best for the team.”

Sunshine Stars will begin the 2024/25 NPFL season against Bayelsa United in Ijebu – Ode.

Femi Atolagbe
Sunshine Stars
Media Manager

…appoints him, Kayode Idowu Match Readers

Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) has approved the appointment of former Sunshine Stars Captains, Abe Sunday and Kayode Idowu as Match Readers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club.

Executive Chairman of the Agency, Bamidele Ologunloluwa stated this while congratulating the longest serving Sunshine Stars Captain on his retirement from the round leather game.

Ologunloluwa said Abe Sunday’s number 10 jersey will be reserved for at least a season as a mark of honour for his service to the team.

The former Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development said Abe Sunday said the ex-international’s wealth of experience is still needed in the club.

Abe Sunday who represented Nigeria the U-17 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt before graduating to the national U-23 team and home-based Super Eagles in 2010, had announced his retirement from football at a news conference in Akure, the state capital.

Sunday was the skipper of Sunshine Stars till the 2023/2024 season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He had also played for Teuta Durres FC of Albania in the 2017/2018 season.

According to Ologunloluwa, “Abe Sunday is our pride in Ondo State and in Nigeria at large.

“His experience is well needed in the team and that is why we appointed him and his colleague as match readers.

“As board members of Ondo State Football Agency, we congratulate our longest serving captain as he hangs his boots.”

In the same vein, former Sunshine Stars captain Kayode Idowu, an ex-international won his cap for the Super Eagles against Madagascar in 2001.

Femi Atolagbe
Sunshine Stars
Media Manager

…Appreciates Aiyedatiwa for Prioritising Football_

…Calls on the Electorate to massively vote Aiyedatiwa in the November Guber Poll

The Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa, wishes people of the state and fans of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure a blissful and successful month.

Ologunloluwa while welcoming football lovers across the state to the month of September, saying it’s an uncommon grace to witness a new month ,which coincidentally ushers in a new Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL season,despite the oscillating situation in the country.

Speaking in Akure, the Ex Commissioner fir Youth and Sports Development said: ” I want to join the good people of Ondo State to give God due appreciation for another month, and a new football season witnessed. It is an uncommon grace to see a new month. I therefore join the darling people of the sunshine State, most especially, football lovers across the state to rejoice on witnessing the month of September, and the start of a new NPFL season.”

Ologunloluwa appreciates the football loving Governor of the state, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for providing everything the Sunshine Stars FC needed to start strong and finish strong in the new football season.

The ODSFA boss assures fans of Sunshine Stars FC of a good outing and to expect nothing but the best from the team in the new football season.

He enjoined Sunshine Stars FC fans and football lovers across the state to bear in mind that due to the ongoing massive renovation at the Akure township stadium, the Sunshine Stars FC will be playing their first home match of the season at the Ijebu Ode township stadium next week Sunday against visiting Bayelsa United.

He charged fans to continue their support for the team with their prayers and show of love.

The Ex Commissioner used the medium to call on the electorates of Ondo State to clear every form of doubt and join the “Lucky Train” in the November Guber poll.

Ologunloluwa points to the achievements of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa which apparently makes him worthy of their votes in the November poll. He emphasizes that it’s only in the care of Lucky Aiyedatiwa that Ondo State is safe.

The ODSFA boss wishes everyone a blissful and prosperous new month of September.

The 2024 annual Ijapo Ages Stars FC (IASFC) intra club competition kicked off at Ijapo/Housing field in Akure with the opening match ended 3-2 in favour of Team Cherry who came from two goals down to defeat Team Apple.

Banana, however, played a 1-1 draw against Date- Plum in the second match of the grassroot football competition.

Goals from Taiwo Adeniran and Johnson Akintayo gave Cherry a leveler, having trailed Apple who were leading from Leye Adewole and Shayo Olayeni goals in the first half of the enthralling encounter.

Substituted Nosa Enabulele scored the winning goal for Cherry as Apple Goalkeeper Ayodeji Ogunsakin received a matching order from the center referee for dissent.

Meanwhile, Team Banana took the lead through Taiwo Ajimuda from outside the box, before John Tope equalised from Date – plum moment later from a rebound.

The second stanza of the encounter failed to record any further goal as both sides shared the spoils of the encounter.

All the participating teams displayed high level of football artistry to the admiration of the spectators.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Shalom Olaseeni commended all the participating teams for their maturity both on and outside the pitch.

Olaseeni said the competition is an annual event to bring members of the club within and outside the country together and also to discover new talents for the team.

He explained that the organisers decided to name the teams after some fruits and the following fruits were adopted, team A represent Apple, Team B Banana, C Cherry and D Date -Plum.

According to him, “it’s a round robin competition and it will be played for four Saturdays.”

He said: “I enjoin all the teams to maintain this tempo and play according to the rules of the competition”, he said.

Mr Robert Ibukun Enikan while performing the kick off of the competition ,commended the Management of the club for contributing to the development of sports in Ondo State.

The 2024 annual Ijapo Ages Stars FC (IASFC) intra club competition kicked off at Ijapo/Housing field in Akure with the opening match ended 3-2 in favour of Team Cherry who came from two goals down to defeat Team Apple.

Banana, however, played a 1-1 draw against Date- Plum in the second match of the grassroot football competition.

Goals from Taiwo Adeniran and Johnson Akintayo gave Cherry a leveler, having trailed Apple who were leading from Leye Adewole and Shayo Olayeni goals in the first half of the enthralling encounter.

Substituted Nosa Enabulele scored the winning goal for Cherry as Apple Goalkeeper Ayodeji Ogunsakin received a matching order from the center referee for dissent.

Meanwhile, Team Banana took the lead through Taiwo Ajimuda from outside the box, before John Tope equalised from Date – plum moment later from a rebound.

The second stanza of the encounter failed to record any further goal as both sides shared the spoils of the encounter.

All the participating teams displayed high level of football artistry to the admiration of the spectators.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Shalom Olaseeni commended all the participating teams for their maturity both on and outside the pitch.

Olaseeni said the competition is an annual event to bring members of the club within and outside the country together and also to discover new talents for the team.

He explained that the organisers decided to name the teams after some fruits and the following fruits were adopted, team A represent Apple, Team B Banana, C Cherry and D Date -Plum.

According to him, “it’s a round robin competition and it will be played for four Saturdays.”

He said: “I enjoin all the teams to maintain this tempo and play according to the rules of the competition”, he said.

Mr Robert Ibukun Enikan while performing the kick off of the competition ,commended the Management of the club for contributing to the development of sports in Ondo State.