Sunshine Stars return to Ijebu Ode for Heartland battle
Relegation-threatened Nigeria Premier Football League side, Sunshine Stars FC, will return to the Dipoo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, their initially adopted home ground for the 2024/25 season, for their match-day 31 battle against fellow strugglers Heartland on Wednesday (today), NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
In a letter dated Monday, March 24, the NPFL board approved the return of Sunshine Stars, who have played most of their matches at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
“Sequel to your letter dated 22nd of March 2025, for a change of your home matches venue from Remo Stars stadium Ikenne to Dipo Dina stadium ljebu Ode, Ogun State,” NPFL COO, Davidson Owumi said in the letter.
“You are hereby reminded that our earlier correspondence on the issue of change of venue was predicated on your return back to your natural home ground of Akure sports complex before such further request can be granted.
However, going by the logistics and scheduling problems encountered at the Remo Stars Stadium, and the Dipo Dina Stadium ljebu Ode having met our conditions, you are hereby granted approval for the use of the above-mentioned facility with effect from Match Day 31 fixture (Sunshine Stars vs Heartland FC) on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.”
Sunshine Stars were moved from Ijebu-Ode to Ikenne in December 2024 for their Southwest derby clash against 3SC in which they lost 1-0.
The team are yet to play any game at their home ground in Akure this season due to the protracted renovation works at the stadium.
Wednesday’s fixture between Sunshine Stars and Heartland is a typical dogfight, as both sides are rooted in the red zone and separated by just a point.
Sunshine Stars have 33 points from 30 matches while Heartland have 34 from as many games.
Head coach of the Akure side, Abubakar Bala has stated the team’s resolve to escape the drop with eight games to go.
“We are working hard on our concentration and finishing. We scored four goals in our last home game. That way we will get more points home and away and after two or three more games, we will be out of the red zone,” the coach said recently.
