NPFL Southwest derby: ‘this is not a game we should have lost’ – Ogunbote

Sunshine Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has said that his lads do not deserve the 1-0 loss they suffered in the hands of their host, MFM in the matchday 3 encounter in the 2021 Nigeria Professional Football Season, NPFL.
Speaking after the Southwest derby cracker played at the Agege Stadium Sunday, the former Lobi Stars gaffer said that the team paid for their carelessness but remained optimistic that they will bounce back
“The game has been won and lost and you see sometimes you pay dearly for carelessness. All we need to do now is to go home with the positives.
“Unfortunately, this is not a game we should have lost. We still have 35 more games to play, we will go back home and try to be better next time,” the coach said.
A well-drilled Sunshine Stars FC side were left to rue their luck and missed chances following a 1-0 defeat in Sunday’s Southwest derby meeting with MFM FC at the Soccer Temple, Agege Lagos.
Dennis Obasi guided home from a low cross in the 7th minute to hand the Olukoya Boys the advantage, with the visitors unable to turn things round despite dominating after falling behind.
The opening half saw far less clear-cut opportunities, nevertheless the Owena Whales muster a real chance at equaliser minutes before the break, when Tolu Oluwole combined well with Waheed Adebayo only for the later to be denied by Osayi Kingdom in goal for his former side.
There was greater intent and tempo about the coach Gbenga Ogunbote tutored side play after the interval as they were able to carved out several openings in the hosts backline with some eye-catching team moves.
First in the 72nd minute, Yusuf Sadeeq drew Kingdom out of position, however fellow second half substitute Kolade Adeniji was denied the chance of turning home his cross by some desperate MFM defending.
Sunshine Stars with renewed sense of urgency continued to attack vigorously in pursuit of a leveller and 11 minutes from time Sadeeq miscued from Fuad Ekelojuoti’s cut-back header in front of goal, young sensation, Ayo Adejubu had left several markers for dead in the build up.
In the 84th minute, Sadeeq was again denied with a decisive goal mouth clearance, before seeing his header from six yards out, off Ekelojuoti’s cross stopped agonizingly by the wood work in stoppages time.
Sunshine Stars host Lobi Stars at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure on Wednesday.