Ajibola Otegbeye again scored the decisive goal as Sunshine Stars edged Akwa United 1-0 in an AITEO Cup first leg semi final tie at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode on Saturday.
The game came alive inside the first five minutes with Christian Pygbara dragging an effort just wide for the visitors before Otegbeye header off a corner kick failed to hit the target. However Otegbeye made no mistake heading in Alaba Adeniyi's cross in the 33rd minute to hand Sunshine Stars the lead with his fifth goal of the competition.
Abiodun Joseph thought he had earned his team a chance to extend the lead just before the break when he went down in the area from a challenge instead the 18 years old got penalised by the referee for an alleged simulation.
Sikiru Alimi could have doubled the lead for Sunshine Stars upon resumption of play but had his effort in front of goal quickly thwarted by a defensive block. After the hosts failed to utilise some chances created United switched to the front foot in search of an equaliser in a busy final period for goal keeper Henry Ayodele.
Minutes after the wood work denied Ifeanyi Ifeanyi the big framed goal keeper put his body on the line to repel a certain Akwa United goal in the 63rd minute before going on to make some top of the drawer saves in the closing stages of the game to help Sunshine Stars survived a late onslaught from the Promise Keepers.
In a post match interview with Sunshine Stars FC Media coach Duke Udi maintained his side will always hold their own against any team on any ground while soliciting a fair officiating in the second leg in Uyo on Wednesday.
"We got a victory that and was our intention. For us there is no home and oxlur team is stronger on the road. We just want good officiating like today's own in Uyo. Use will see a beautiful football in Uyo."
*Match Stats*
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Akwa United
Otegbeye 33'
Yellow card: Joseph 45+1'
*Sunshine Stars XI:* _Henry Ayodele, Seun Olulayo, Alaba Adeniyi (C), Anthony Omaka, Oke Ogagotewho, Nojeem Raji, Abiodun Joseph (68' Franklin Sasere), Ajibola Otegbeye (80' Tope Orelope), Sikiru Alimi, Dayo Ojo, Kehinde Adedipe (61' Ezekiel Thomoson)_
*Unused Subs:* _Ariyo David, Ezekiel Boboye, Rock Durand, Kelechi Ogoh
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