Edith Agoye, the Head Coach of Sunshine Stars of Akure, on Sunday commended his players’ efforts in securing an away draw against newly-promoted Doma United Football Club of Gombe.
They drew 1-1 with the hosts in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League Group B Match Day 1 fixture.
Agoye, while speaking during the post-match conference at the Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe, noted that his game plan against the hosts was executed “very well”.
He said: “I and my team are returning home happily because the match has been a good one, having been able to secure an away point which is important for our NPFL campaign this season.
“Our game plan worked very well.
“Unfortunately in the first half, we conceded a goal against the run of play.
“But we were able to correct that mistake in the second half, fought back and got the equalising goal.
“It’s a very good one, a draw, the first game away from home.
“It’s very important for us.
“When you consider the long journey we took from Akure down here, we are very happy to get this one point.”
While commending his players, Agoye said the attitude of his players in the match made the difference.
He said: “They wanted it so much, they didn’t want to lose, they wanted to win.
“We couldn’t win but were able to salvage a point; It’s a good one for us.”
He added that the result had given his team the needed morale to secure the maximum points when they welcome Rivers United to Akure on Wednesday.
Agoye said: “We’ll push as much as possible to be able to get them three points at home.”
Agoye also commended the fans of Doma United for conducting themselves peacefully even when their team conceded a late goal.
He said: “The fans here (in Gombe) are wonderful.
“They backed their team.
“They are very faithful to their team and we appreciate them because they accepted the result of the game.”
On his part, Akinade Onigbinde, the Technical Adviser of Doma United FC, said lessons had been learnt by his team from their first NPFL game.
He said he and his coaching crew colleagues would work on those lessons to ensure better outings in subsequent matches for the club.
“We have learnt our lessons and we will work hard to ensure we get the maximum points in our next match away,” Onigbinde said.
NAN reports that Charles Chibuike scored the first goal of the game in the 38th minute to becomes the first Doma United player to score in the NPFL.
The equalising goal was scored by Sunshine Stars’ Ibrahim Yusuf in the 89th minute to deny the hosts the maximum points from the match.
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