Sunshine Queens stumbled out of the blocks in their Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) opener on Wednesday, slumping to a 1–0 home defeat against FC Robo of Lagos at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
The hosts began brightly, dictating play in the opening quarter-hour, but the momentum gradually shifted as the visitors settled into the contest.
Sunshine Queens goalkeeper Bright Etim kept her side in the game with a string of sharp saves, but FC Robo eventually found a breakthrough on the stroke of halftime when Marvellous Oladuni nodded home from a corner.
Chasing the game in the second half, Sunshine Queens made several tactical adjustments in a bid to restore parity.
Their efforts, however, proved insufficient against a compact FC Robo side that held their shape and absorbed pressure to secure a deserved victory on the road.
The loss — coming in front of home supporters — has already heightened anxiety among fans who expected a more convincing start from their team this season.
Olokunboye Alani, one of the supporters at the stadium, questioned the club’s preparation and overall direction.
“It’s been a long time since we watched a live match here. The management must give us a team that will make us happy,”
“Yes, it’s the first game, but if we can’t win at home, how do we hope to survive in the NWFL? This is not the best the management can offer.” he said.
Another fan, who declined to give his name, expressed dismay over what he described as poor organisation and a lack of motivation within the squad.
"The management are being misled, and we wish them luck, some people built a team for a year, you sacked them, disbanded them and you bring in people from retirement, people with no pedigree or readiness to lead the team, we are watching, this is not criticism, but the fact," he said.
With pressure mounting just one match into the campaign, Sunshine Queens will need an immediate turnaround to reassure their fan base and steady their season.
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