27th February, 2012
Former Super Eagles’ Coach, Austin Eguavoen, was full of excitement yesterday evening after his side, Enyimba International of Aba, held their hosts, Sunshine Stars of Akure, to a goalless draw in the Nigeria Premier League match played at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The People’s Elephant came into the match in high spirits after winning their last league match 2-0 against Gombe United in Aba a week before.
Speaking after the match in Ijebu-Ode, Eguavoen said that getting their first away draw against Sunshine Stars is a good result, adding that they had been unlucky to get any point from their away matches this season.
He said: “Playing a draw against a very formidable Sunshine Stars is an achievement for us, considering that they were the runners up of the league last season.”
The former handler of Nigeria’s U-23 Olympic team further said they had to settle for a defensive pattern of play for most part of the match because they were aware of the threat posed by their hosts.
“Sunshine Stars have so many good players that can cause havoc for any team on a good day, hence our resolve to play a hardline defensive formation. The loss of our reliable defensive midfielder, Ayo Saka, in the second half of the game almost caused us the match, but we are happy to end the match in a draw. It is a good result for us,” he said.
—Bamidele Olowosagba /Ijebu-Ode