DANGEROUS GUEST!

Sunshine Take Killer Spirit To Ilorin

Kwara fans left the newly refurbished Ilorin Township Stadium disappointed the last time the Afonja Warlords  played at the venue. It was an interesting affair against Dolphins which ended in a one all draw.
Today, they will hope for better luck when table toppers Sunshine Stars come calling, in what promises to be a lively encounter at least going by the  standards of the two teams on parade.

Veteran tactician, Kadiri Ikhana saw his side bounce back from that disappointment holding Ocean Boys to a goalless draw in  Yenagoa last Sunday  and that should inspire his side for the visit of the dreaded Sunshine team who have one of the best squads in the league this season.
Ikhana will hope his top striker, Sanusi Ibrahim who has notched in 10 goals so far, will be able to deliver this after seeing him struggle to impress lately.

But it is not only the attack that will give him something to worry about, he will also need to find a way of  improving his team’s defence  which has let in some cheeky goals so far.
And against a side like  Sunshine Stars which parade the dreaded trio of league topscorer Ajani Ibrahim, experienced Ukeyima Akombo and ex- Enyimba man, Atanda Shakibu, then they need to raise their game or else they could be in for a shocker.

The three  men have in between them scored 26  goals for the Akure Gunners and they are mainly the reason why  the Gbenga Ogunbote tutored side are on top of the log , itching closer to their first league diadem.
They were at their ruthless, at their make shift home ground in Ijebu Ode which they have turned to a slaughter slab last weekend, pipping fellow Confederations Cup campaigners, Kaduna United 4-1 with inspirational skipper, Godfrey Oboabona scoring the cutting raiser and also Akombo increasing his season’s tally to seven.

Though not bad travellers with three victories and three draws on the road already, a record only bettered by main challenger, Dolphins, they need to avoid a repeat of the humiliating defeat they suffered  in Warri penultimate weekend.
They know already what is expected of them with eight league games remaining after this, so they will go all out with the sole aim of picking a draw at least, especially with their rival facing a tough battle in Owerri against Heartland.
More tricky away ties against the likes of Heartland, Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars still await them, so Avoiding defeat in Ilorin will be crucial to their aspirations of emerging champioins at the end of the season.