Nigeria: Sunshine Slams Dolphins Over Allegation

18 May 2011

The management of Sunshine Stars of Akure has reacted to a statement credited to an unnamed official of Dolphins accusing them of working to derail their title ambition.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Sunshine Stars, Joseph Akinwunmi, the management wouldn’t have responded to an unsigned statement but decide otherwise to put the record straight.

Dolphins had accused respected CAF and FIFA instructor, Paul Bassey of conspiring with Sunshine Stars to derail their title ambition, citing the incident, which happened in their 3-0 defeat to Enyimba in Aba with Bassey as the match commissioner.

“Paul Bassey is on the pay roll of Sunshine Stars. It is not a secret and there is no way we would have gotten a good result in such a scenario,” Dolphins alleged.

And Akinwunmi said: “Although Bassey has replied the allegations but we are compelled to add that Dolphins’ allegations are not only baseless but lack substance”.

“Bassey is a consultant to Sunshine for the Confederation Cup same as Callistus Chukwujekwu was to Dolphins when they played in the Champions League as it is well known but he doesn’t consult for us in the league. So, Dolphins should stop this unsubstantiated claim. We are focused and believe in God rather than chasing shadows like Dolphins are doing now.

“In Week one when Dolphins beat Plateau United in Jos as well as in their 3-1 win over JUTH, also in Jos, Ondo referees officiated the matches and they did not complain. That Enyimba beat them 3-0 with Ondo referees should not be misconstrued that we are working for their downfall. They should check Enyimba’s matches of recent and they will discover that the team has really picked”, Akinwunmi explained.

AllAfrica – All the Time