Stadium ban won't affect us, says Sunshine Stars' Ogagetewho

Oke Ogagotewho believes that the banishment of Sunshine Stars to the Dipo Dina Stadium will not have a negative effect on the Akure side.

Alongside some other financial punishments, the League Management Company exiled the Owena Whales to Ijebu-Ode from the Akure Township Stadium for their home games following their disruptive act when they lost 2-1 at home to Plateau United.

Even at this, the games will be played under closed doors until the league body is sure that they can guarantee security at its games and control their supporters.

And ahead of their first game at the stadium - against Gombe United - the defender says that the strict treatment they have been subjected to by the officials has had them prepared for their next adventure.

"For me I don’t think it will affect anything because right from the beginning of the season, Sunshine Stars have been playing both our home games and our away games, for me as away games," Ogagotewho told Goal.

"Because there was no game that was easy for us as easy for us we have been facing a lot of challenges from the officiating and all that.

"It's not a new thing as I still believe that we will go there and do our thing; do our best and do our all  and see how we can save the team from going down. We just have to fight till the end," he added.

Sunshine Stars return to the ground they enjoyed their best feat in the continent under the leadership of Gbenga Ogunbote, after they reached the semi finals of the Caf Confederation Cup and Caf Champions League in the 2011 and 2012 seasons respectively.

And with Akin Olowookere's side in danger of relegating from the Nigeria topflight as they sit in 17th position with 27 points from 24 games, Ogagetewho hopes their previous good run at the stadium would prove a good omen for their recent struggles.

"We believe [that our history here would favour us] and we just pray so because the place has been a home ground for Sunshine Stars in the past and we are believing that now that we've been banish to this place things will work out fine."