Sunshine Stars recorded a heavy 3-0 loss away at Dakkada on the final day of the 2021/22 NPFL season.
Ezekiel Edidion’s brace either side of Aniekan Ekpe’s goal from the spot secured the decisive win for the Choosen Ones at the Nest of Champions on Sunday.
With continental place finish out of reach for Sunshine Stars, the Owena Whales were made to play for pride against a team fighting for survival.
Dakkada started out like a house on fire, racing to an early lead with Edidion’s first of the day in the 7th minute before Ekpe doubled the advantage from the spot 12 minutes later.
Sunshine Stars picked up the intensity afterward and tried to halve the deficit before the break with Suleiman Mojereola in the thick of things, but were denied repeatedly by Dakkada backline and goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal stopped the Choosen Ones from pulling away further, with one of his big saves of the day, 22 minutes after resumption of play.
The Emmanuel Deutcsh tinkered side regained control of the game midway into the second period and went close to finding a route back into the contest when Kingsley Madu’s low drive came off the upright.
While the Owena Whales threw everything at getting a goal late on, the hosts hit on the break, setting Edidion up for his second deep into added time and put the game to bed.
With the result Sunshine Stars finished the season on the 11th position with 51 points.
