Abe Sunday, the captain of Sunshine Stars, has announced his retirement from professional football after nearly two decades of active play. In a news conference held on Wednesday in Akure, Sunday expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he’s had throughout his career.
“I am announcing my immediate retirement from professional football after about two decades of active service as a player,” Sunday stated. “I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have played the most part of my career as captain of my boyhood club, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, while I won’t also forget the stint with Teuta Durres FC of Albania.”
Sunday, who captained Sunshine Stars until the 2023/2024 season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), also reminisced about his time representing Nigeria in international competitions. “It is also an honour to have represented Nigeria, playing the U-17 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt before graduating to the national U-23 team and the home-based Super Eagles in 2010.”
He went on to thank his clubs, coaches, teammates, fans, and the press for their support throughout his career. “Special thanks to my family members and my closest friends – they have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support through the good and bad times.”
In closing, Sunday shared his plans for the future: “No matter the circumstances, football is still part of me. In the last years of my active days, I have been preparing for bigger roles in the backroom as well as the boardroom and I will be ever ready to give everything off the field. Hope to see you all again on the next journey.”
