Sunshine Stars assistant coach, Kayode Julius, has laid down a serious marker ahead of their crucial top of the table clash with Mountain of fire and Miracles football club, MFM, on Wednesday.
Sunshine Stars are in Lagos to battle their hosts, MFM FC, in an NPFL week 10 encounter at the Soccer Temple, Agege.
The Owena Whales are just three points behind Group A leaders, MFM, and are aware that a win on Wednesday will see them replace the Olukoya Boys at the top of the group.
Speaking exclusively to ACLSports.com in the absence of their main boss, Kabiru Dogo, Julius was very emphatic with his side’s mission at the Temple, roaring that they are here for nothing but a win.
“We have to win,” he said moments after their final training session on Tuesday. “We are heredaywin.”
The Southwest derby will witness its sixth game by the time these two step on the Agege pitch, where the home side are not only unbeaten this season, but also where the Akure based team is yet to leave with a point.
However, for Julius, his optimism stems from the improved standard of officiating in the NPFL which in his words means ‘there is nothing like home or away teams’ and the fact that most of his players will be at home [in Lagos].
“Playing in Lagos too, we are coming here to give our best, especially in the NPFL [now] the officiating is very good,” he said.
“There is like nothing home or away, the referees are doing fine, the officiating is fine. So, I pray by tomorrow we carry the day.”
“Most Sunshine players are Lagosians,” he added. “We have a lot of Lagosians who played in Lagos, this is their home. I was [also] based in Lagos before, so, if they are good at home, Lagos is also our home. But what I know is they have very young players, my friend [Fidelis] Ilechi [sic] grooms young talented players. But if you look at it, we know they are home, but we want to win.”
Having faced MFM before the season kicked off, the Stars will not be carried away with their win in preseason and will not “relent”, according to Julius.
“You know, we played against them in Port Harcourt [in preseason], despite the fact we won them, we are not going to relent. They are a good side, a younger side and their coach [Fidelis Ilechukwu] too is an experienced coach.”
