Gunmen Attack Sunshine Stars Players

By Ayodele Oni

Players of the Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, on Thursday, were attacked by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers along Benin/Ore Highway.

The players and officials were on their way to Benin to honour match day 13 of the Nigeria Premier Football League match with Bendel Insurance of Benin.

They were reportedly attacked with the ball boy to the team hit by bullets.

Reports also had it that the Team Manager and some team management were injured and have been taken to nearby hospital.

However, it is yet uncertain whether players in the entourage were injured.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Media Officer of the team, Michael Akintunde, wrote:

‘It’s saddens our hearts to inform Nigerians, especially football lovers,  that our team was attacked few minutes ago along Ore-Benin Expressway to honor an Elite League tie, against Insurance of Benin, scheduled for this weekend.

“Our ball boy was shot in the horrible attack, Our team manager and other club officials including players are seriously injured .

“It took the intervention of officers of the Federal Road Safety corp that helped rescue the injured officials and the shot individual to a nearby hospital. We hope you join us in prayers”