Jigawa Golden Stars opened their NPFL 2020/2021 season with 1-0 victory over visiting Sunshine Stars at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Sunday.
Striker Onukwube Stone slot in a pass from Musa Lala in the second half after the later had waltzed his way into the box of the Aketi Boys. Jigawa, who adopted Ahmadu Bello Stadium as their home for the new season, dominated the game but were let down by their blunt attack until they scored the only goal of the game.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach of Jigawa Golden Stars, Gilbert Opuana, said, “I’m happy about the win. The various postponements of the league didn’t allow the team to be ready which was why the game was difficult but we thank God for the victory.
“The team need improvement in lots of areas but we are going to work on it. Our financial situation was being managed, though there is pressure on the team to take care of the players. We hope to end the season between the first and 10th position.”
For Head Coach of Sunshine Stars, Gbenga Ogubote, he is going back to correct the mistakes.
“We need to look at the positives of the game and get ourselves prepared for the next game. We will go back home to address the challenges and prepare for the next matches. At end of the season, we hope to see the team in a position that would make my employers happy,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman Katsina state FA, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi, who watched the match live and donated the sum of N150,000 to each of the teams to motivate them, said, “we have watched a very good match, there is improvement in our local players, exhibition of fair play to bring the players together to shake hands and congratulate each other.
“I gave each team N150,000 to encourage them. Though it is a closed door game, it was a great match. The league started excellently we hope it would continue. We hope the NFF, the LMCs and referees would continue to do a good job that would enable good teams win away match.”
