Sunshine Stars Crash Out After Tornadoes Strike in Relegation Showdown
Date: 12 May 2025
By: IDNN Nigeria Football Desk
Ijebu Ode – There were tears, heartbreak, and disbelief on Sunday as Sunshine Stars officially dropped out of the Nigeria Premier Football League, following a devastating 2-1 home defeat to Niger Tornadoes.
It ends a 17-year topflight run for the Akure-based club, who were once Nigeria’s continental pride with CAF semi-final appearances in the early 2010s.
⚽ Match Recap: Hope Flickered, Then Faded
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20’ – Tornado Warning: Ismail Sarki opened the scoring for the visitors.
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43’ – Equalizer: Liman Ahmadu pulled one back for the Owena Whales before halftime.
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76’ – Final Blow: Daniel Akanbek’s stunning strike crushed Sunshine’s dreams.
NPFL 2024/25 Relegation Update (After Matchday 37)
| Club | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Stars | 41 | ❌ Relegated |
| Lobi Stars | 39 | ❌ Relegated |
| Niger Tornadoes | 48 | ✅ Safe (14th) |
Sunshine Stars needed all three points to keep survival hopes alive. Now, even a win in their final game against El-Kanemi Warriors won’t save them.
A Fall From Glory: Sunshine’s Rise and Collapse
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2008: Promoted to NPFL
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2011: CAF Champions League Semi-Finalists
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2012: CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Finalists
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2025: Relegated to second tier
What began as a golden project ended in an era-defining collapse, worsened by poor form, stadium issues, and instability.
Fan Voices & Fallout
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“This club made Akure proud for years. We need to rebuild.” — Club legend
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“No home stadium this season was the beginning of the end.” — Fan at Ijebu Ode
Final Day Fixtures
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Sunshine Stars vs El-Kanemi Warriors
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Tornadoes vs Kano Pillars
IDNN Takeaway
A chapter closes on a once-great Nigerian club. Sunshine Stars’ relegation is a cautionary tale of neglect and decline. The league moves on—but Akure must now begin the long climb back.