James Sowole in Akure
The players of the Ondo State sponsored Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure yesterday vowed not to honour any Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) match any more until their outstanding salaries were paid by the state government.
The players who for the second consecutive day have continued their protest at the Ondo State Governor’s Office in Alagbaka area of Akure, are alleging that the administration of Olusegun Mimiko ending today had not paid their salaries in the past seven months.
However, the Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency, Mr. Folayemi Joshua, admitted that the outgoing government made efforts to address the issue.
“We have been appealing to the boys because we understand the players had a good reason to fight but the outgoing governor is already looking into the issue. I am very sure before the end of today something positive would definitely come out,” Joshua stressed.
The Captain of the team, Sunday Abe, who spoke with journalists, declared that the protest would be ongoing until the government solved the salary issue.
He said, “We are still not paid. They said we should wait and we have been waiting. We are not going to honour any match again until we are ‘settled’, ” players leader insisted.
The club which is currently occupying 15th position on the Nigeria Professional Football League 2016/2017 Season has not been impressing their fans with their performance since the commencement of the league season.
The Akure-based team is scheduled to host Rivers United Football Club on Sunday in Match-day 10 clash but the players are insisting that they would not play the match until the issue on their salaries was resolved.
But it was gathered that if the players’ salaries were paid, it will be a morale booster for the team which could consequently lead to better performances.
