Ogunbote explains NPFL home defeat to Enyimba

Sunshine Stars manager, Gbenga Ogunbote has blamed carelessness and inexperience to the top-flight loss to his former side, Enyimba.

The Owena Whales lost 0-1 to the People’s Elephant in Monday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 17 clash at their forced new home ground, Agege Stadium in Lagos. The Akure side just played one of the two sanctioned home matches in Lagos by the League Management Company (LMC).

Samson Obi’s 55^th minute goal proved adequate to hand the visitors the whole three points at stake in the clash.

Ogunbote said the hurtful defeat showed that his side need to be strengthened with quality players in key areas if the side are going to finish the season credibly.

“In the first 45 minutes we threw away all the chances that could have made the whole difference in the game.

“The only goal in the match was just about the clear and glaring chance Enyimba had and they made it count.

“Of course, it was as a result of a silly error on the part of some players. Sometimes you lose a game like this to carelessness and inexperience.

“And this has shown clearly that the team must be beefed up in key areas to compete favourably, it is almost mandatory.

“My players are not bad, at least, they matched their opponents creditably but we still need a few quality players to join them.

“This will help the team to be able and ready to play anywhere and be assured of positive results.

“I will continue to hope and pray that the level playing ground witnessed here should be obtainable and replicated elsewhere.

“We just lost a game not war, we will continue to work hard to ensure we get it right in other matches on the calendar,” said the former Enugu Rangers and Enyimba tactician.

The home defeat to the Aba side leaves the Akure landlords on the 14^th position on the 20-team top-flight log on 18 points 12 behind league leaders, Kwara United.

Sunshine Stars will make a road trip to Port Harcourt to confront Rivers United in the NPFL matchday 18 clash at the weekend.