Gold Cup Success, A Learning Curve For Owena Whales - Lama

Basking in the euphoria of the recent feat attained by 'Akure Gunners', in the just concluded Gold Cup Preseason Tournament, the assistant coach of Sunshine Stars FC, Kamal Folarin (Lama) has hinted that, the success would further spur the club for more silverwares in the forthcoming NPFL season.



Recall that, long time academy graduate, Adedipe Kehinde blasted the 'Owena Waves' in front in the sixty fifth (65) minute of the tension soaked duel and Harmony Boys couldn't restore the parity before the regulation time thereby making Sunshine Stars Gold Cup Champions second time in six years.



"The club regrouped three days before the start of the tourney, you know there were new technical appointments in the club.



" We honored the invitation in good faith to test couples of new arrivals and to see how they can cope in big games. I want to inform you that we didn't have much time to train as a unit having lost a lot of our top notch prolific players.



"Coach Kabiru Dogo used the tournament to instill his playing philosophy in players, our old players really sparkled when needed and they brought the needed balance going forward." Erstwhile Gray FC of Ede gaffer submitted.



Despite being the champion of the latest edition of the tourney at the expense of  hegemonic Kwara United, Kabiru Dogo side however not completely exonorated from glitches accustomed to their executing personnels.



"I can say we are fifty percent ready for the coming season right now, we need some back up at the back and good clinical finishers up front.



"The gaffer has identified few good replacements on the course of the tournament and contacts would soon be established with the identified players.



"Though injury to our key players last season and non registration of the club's new recruits by League Management Company on time formed part of indices why Sunshine Stars had to battle relegation till last day.



"With the new technical officials on board, I believe confidence has started returning to the club. We will be aiming for a continental slot come next season." He stressed.



Coach Folarin who was recently promoted from Rising Stars coaching department to senior team as an assistant coach was a reliable outfield player for Rising Stars during his playing days in the elite division.



"Let me on behalf of the technical officials appreciate the management of Sunshine Stars for giving the club the necessary supports in participating in the recently concluded unarguably the best preseason tournament in the land.



"This feat would be a learning curve for us as we continue to assemble best legs that will challenge for trophies in the coming days. The organisers again should be encouraged because they are doing a fantastic job in bringing teams together with little resources." He concluded.