Sunshine Stars players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Sunshine Stars players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM

Sunshine Stars FC is a Nigerian football club based in Akure, South West of Nigeria. The club plays in the country's top-tier league, Nigeria's Professional Football League (NPFL). Join us as we look at details about the club, including Sunshine Stars players, management, achievements, and much more.

Sunshine Stars
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Akure-based club has struggled to impress in the domestic league for many seasons, usually surviving relegation by a whisker. The team narrowly escaped demotion in the 2020/21 season after finishing 16th in the table, just four points above the danger zone. However, the club will be hoping to do better in the new season of 2021/22. So, what is Sunshine Stars FC's history?

Sunshine Stars FC's profile

  • Full name: Sunshine Stars Football Club
  • Nickname: Akure Gunners, the Owena Waves
  • Founded: 1995
  • Based in: Akure, South-West Nigeria
  • Owners: Ondo State Government
  • Chairman: Akin Akinbobola
  • Sunshine Stars coach: Ayodeji Aiyeni
  • League: Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)
  • Arena/Stadium: Akure Township Stadium
  • Stadium capacity: 10,000 people
  • Sunshine Stars FC Instagram: @sunshinefcakure

History

Sunshine Stars FC net worth
Players of Sunshine Stars jog during a training session at their facility. Photo: @SunshineStarsFC
Source: Twitter

The Nigerian club was formed in 1995 by the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Colonel Ahmed Usman. However, it took the team about five years to secure promotion to the top league. In 2009, the Akure Gunners and Gombe United represented Nigeria in the West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup. The tournament features clubs in the West African sub-region.

Sunshine Stars' management has worked hard over the years to ensure the club remains competitive by acquiring some of the best talents in the country. So who is Sunshine Stars' owner? The club is managed by the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), with the chairman, Akin Akinbobola, running key activities.

Sunshine Stars FC achievements

Sunshine Stars FC results
Club Africain's striker Youssef Mouhbi (R) vies with Ibrahim Ajani of Sunshine Stars during their confederation cup semis at the Olympic El Menzah Stadium on 29 October 2011. Photo: Fethi Belaid
Source: Getty Images

Despite playing many years in Nigeria's top-flight football, the Akure Gunners are yet to win a title. The trophyless spell has left most fans worried about the club's future, while some still keep hopes alive of witnessing the team lift a title.

Sunshine Stars FC's stadium

The club plays its home games at the Akure Township Stadium in Akure, Nigeria. It has a capacity of 10,000 people. However, the stadium has recently been under renovation, forcing the team to play their matches in Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun.

Sunshine Stars FC squad

Sunshine Stars' new signing
Owena Waves players pose for a group photo during their semifinal football match against Egypt's al-Ahly club in the African Champions League in Cairo on 21 October 2012. Photo: Khaled Desouki
Source: Getty Images

Who is Sunshine Stars' captain? Midfielder Babatunde Bello is currently the skipper of the team. Bello scored a crucial goal in the club's 3-0 victory over Kano Plains to register their first league victory in the 2021/22 season. Here is a list of Sunshine Stars players.

Goalkeepers

  • David Ariyo
  • Saliu Suleiman
  • Henry Ayodele
  • Uche Okafor
  • Japhet Opubo

Defenders

  • Habib Yakub
  • Ebuka Akobundu
  • Ayodeji Akinlose
  • Akindoyin Nasiru
  • Bright Favour Akpojuvwevwo
  • Jide Jimoh
  • Jamiu Alimi
  • Isiaka Oladuntoye
  • Abisoye Olawale Olatunde
  • Lawal Murtadah Oladipupo
  • Ejike Uzoechi
  • Yusuf Olayinka
  • Chigozie Chilekwu
  • Quazeem Obanigba
  • Jonathan Zikiye Jonathan Zikiye
  • Emmanuel James

Midfielders

  • Adekunle Niyi
  • Tolu Oluwole
  • Adeyeye Adeyemi
  • Kabiru Tijjani
  • Ibrahim Ajani
  • Sheriff Amuda
  • Ikenna Cooper
  • Samson Olasupo
  • Seun Begbaji
  • Uzochukwu Ogunna
  • Tope Akande
  • Vincent Temitope
  • Yusuf Afeez
  • Adebayo Odumosu
  • Michael Olulasi
  • Sunday Nwodu
  • Michael Olulasi
  • Sunday Nwodu
  • Bello Babatunde Martins
  • Joseph Abiodun Joseph Abiodun
  • Fuad Ekeleojuoti

Forwards

  • Chinedu Udechukwu
  • Frederick Obomate
  • Adeniyi Alaba
  • Waheed Adebayo
  • Sunday Emmanuel
  • Kolade Adeniji
  • Ocheme Edoh
  • Samuel Felix Agba

Sunshine Stars players salary

Sunshine Stars FC's trophies
Owena Waves players celebrate a goal during a past match. Most players have been protesting over unpaid salaries and bonuses. Photo: @SunshineStarsFC
Source: Facebook

Like many teams in Africa, the Owena Waves have also struggled to pay some of their players in the past. In March 2021, several footballers, led by former Sunshine Stars' captain, Abe Sunday, took to the streets to demonstrate unpaid salaries and bonuses. Although some issues are being resolved, others still need attention and perhaps time to help the club succeed.

So, who is the highest-paid player in Sunshine Stars? Talented striker Sunday Emmanuel is currently considered the top-paid player on the team. Sunday Emmanuel's net worth is estimated to be a whopping $1.5 million.

Sunshine Stars FC world ranking

According to Football Database, the Owena Waves ranks 861 globally and 90 in Africa. In Nigeria, the club ranks 10.

The new season offers yet another opportunity for Sunshine Stars' players and management to improve its reputation and cement its place among top teams in Nigeria. However, it is a daunting task that requires time to fix.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.