Sunshine Stars head coach, Edith Agoye, has waved off suggestions that his team made a light work of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League Super 6 ticket on the final match-day of the regular season, after seeing off Dakkada 3-0 in Akure, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Thanks to goals from Michael Olalusi, Achi Nnaemeka and Udom Ekerete, the Owena Whales picked up the last ticket in Group B after finishing third with 27 points behind Rivers United and Lobi Stars.
Agoye was, however, not carried away by the win, noting that achievement would not have been possible if results from other games didn’t go their way. While they did their bit in Akure, Abia Warriors beat the other contenders Doma United to hand Sunshine Stars the ticket.
“Picking the Super 6 ticket is of course a good thing but truth be told, it doesn’t come easy, we won’t stop, we shall continue to work hard and make a resounding impact in Lagos at the playoffs,” Agoye said during his post-match presser.
Agoye joined Sunshine Stars before the start of the season after managing to steer 3SC clear of relegation in the previous season.
Despite coming under heavy criticisms during the season, the Akoko-born tactician has surpassed expectations, leading the team to seven wins, six draws and five defeats. Their 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes on match-day 17, which is their only away win in the regular season, boosted their Top 3 chances ahead of the final match-day.
“Sincerely, it’s a bit difficult to express how I’m feeling. It was a journey, and I’m very happy that we have already hit the target. The ambition has not been achieved yet, but the objective of qualifying for the Super 6 is done,” the coach said after the win over Dakkada.