Sunshine Stars Threaten To Boycott NPLF Match Against Insurance Over Insecurity
By Our Reporter
Ahead of the penultimate match of the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure have raised the alarm over insecured and tensed atmosphere for its players and officials in Benin ahead of Monday’s matchday 21 tie with Bendel Insurance FC, Bestchoicesports.com.ng Understands.
The alarm follows activities of some suspected thugs who disrupted the team’s workout session at the University of Benin Sports Complex and left the group stranded for an hour after the team’s bus was seized.
Signs of what to come was perceived when Sunshine Stars were denied access to the facility, the adopted home ground of Insurance FC for almost an hour after their 4pm arrival at the complex.
It took frantic efforts of Team Manager, Tokunbo Akinyelure and other officials who made several calls to all relevant authorities known before the Owena Whales could secure entrance into the mainbowl.
The mayhem tasting group, operating under the guise of fighting for a friend, with the claim he was owed by the Akure landlords, stormed the pitch midway into coach Kabiru Dogo’s programme for his boys and disrupted their activities, amid threats to the players and coaches.
It became more worrisome for the visitors when someone from the daredevil looking group numbering up to a dozen was heard saying in pidgin English:
“We need this match pass una. For una own house make una go do anything wey una like. If Insurance no win for here tomorrow person go fall, no be joke!’
With the team’s vehicle seized, the group were left helplessly stranded till near dusk, and when it was eventually released, the urchins vowed to unleash mother of all hell on Sunshine Stars’ players and offcials on the match day.
In view of the rather unfortunate development the Club is putting it to all stakeholders and public notice that the safety of its players and officials is under threats and will not be prepared to play under duress nor risk the life of any personnel.
Speaking with our correspondent, Sunshine Stars media officer, Chris Okonnuwa confirmed the development.