Sunshine Stars captain Abe Sunday remains confident that the Akure-based side can still make the top three in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League despite being currently locked in the middle of the table.
Sunshine Stars are 10th in the table with 21 points from 16 matches.
After reaching the Super 6 playoffs last term, Sunshine Stars have not been able to replicate their form this season, winning five, drawing six and losing five of their matches.
Abe said the team was gradually shaking off their recent predicaments in the loss of their assistant kit manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, as well as the former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN and are fully focused on the task ahead.
“Last season, we finished in the top three during the abridged league and we placed fourth during the Super 6. This season we can still do the same thing,” Abe told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks for us but we keep reminding ourselves after every training session about the target which was set from the start of the season and that is to finish in the top three. It is still possible because we are just seven points away from the target.
“That means with two consecutive wins, followed by some consistency, we will be back where we want to be.”
The long-standing captain also relived the days of the club in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, noting that the current set of players are yearning for that level of achievement as well.
“We have always had good players and the level of commitment is high. I still fondly remember the days and I also want every player in the team to experience it as well.”
Sunshine’s assistant kit manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, died December 23, 2023 after sustaining gunshot wounds during the ill-fated gunmen attack on their team bus on December 7, on their way to honour an NPFL game against Bendel Insurance in Benin while former governor Akeredolu also lost the battle to an illness last Wednesday.
The club faced Doma United the day Akeredolu passed on and dedicated their 2-0 win to the memories of both men. They will be on the road on Sunday to face Remo Stars in Ikenne on match-day 17.
