Lobi Stars on Sunday 26th January, 2020 in an NPFL Match Day 17 inside the main bowl of The Aper Aku Stadium over come the resisting power of hard fighting neighbors, Nasarawa United in what is considered a local derby by 2-1.
Determined to break the jinx of Nasarawa United been the most difficult opponents of Lobi Stars, the pride of Benue fiercely took the battle to Nasarawa United, making several incursions in the defending 3rd of the visitors, Nasarawa United showed stiff resistance but was short lived.
In the 8th minute, Lobi Stars got a free kick 5 metres to edge of the penalty area of Nasarawa United, Abdulkareem Mumini rolled the ball to the right side for Chigozie Obasi who thundered a powerful shot with the speed of light that caught goalkeeper Danlami Umar napping to put Lobi Stars in to early lead.
The game restarted with both teams making frantic efforts to increase the goal margin or level up, a 16th minute throw in from Anumudu Udochukwu resulted to clinical interpassess among Tiza Samuel, Arit Utibe, Abdulkareem Mumini, located Alex Aghahowa drives a set up pass from Douglas Achiv but his shot went off target.
Returnee Adeleye Aniyikaye who has been off duty for about 3 games was pulled out for what looks like a re-injury for Governor Ernest in the 19th. From all indications the substitution was necessitated by the fact that Adeleye had not fully recovered from the injury.
Chigozie Obasi nearly made it 2 goals for Lobi Stars when a pullout in the middle of goal was extended to the far right by Abdulkareem Mumini for on rushing Obasi to strike a missile but narrowly missed the goal. Misses and near goal opportunities ensued from both sides. Omotayo Adebogun was shown a yellow card at exactly 45 minutes, 45+2, Center Referee called for half time as both teams took rest with Lobi Stars ahead by 1-0.
3 minutes in to the second half, Lobi Stars got another free kick in almost the same spot that gave Lobi Stars the first goal, Obasi came in his usual style, powered a shot at goal but this time in to the waiting hands of the goalkeeper.
50 minute, Tiza Samuel gave way for Samad Kadiri. 19 minutes in to the game, substitute Samad Kadiri put through pass for Abdulkareem Mumini who dazzled the defence with his dribble runs and creativity in front of goal, eliminated the last opponent but his shot at goal went off target.
A yellow card was issued to Ismaila Mohammed for bringing down goal bound Omotayo Adebogun in the 70th minute.
72 minutes, a free taken by Chigozie Obasi slipped out of the shaky hands of goalkeeper Danlami Umar to Samad Kadiri who had an almost empty net unchallenged but hurried the ball off target.
Mathias Samuel took over from Douglas Achiv in the 73rd minute for Lobi Stars second substitution, While Dauda Maigishiri took over from Abdullahi Mohammed in the 79th minute.
A 90th minute reverse attack initiated by Alex Aghahowa to Abdulkareem Mumini extended the ball to Arit Utibe, Utibe’s tailor made cross located Samad Kadiri who wasted no time to strike home for the second goal for Lobi Stars.
Before the ovation of celebrating the second goal could die down Nasarawa united got a consolation goal in a manner that all fans were left dumbfounded. A quick shot was taken towards Lobi Stars goals and what looks like a deficient offside trap on one side and the other side like an off side gave Nasarawa United the goal through Chinedu Ohanachom 90+2, The Centre Referee end the game after it was restarted at 90+3.
Fielding questions from journalist in post match media chat, an elated Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars Mr Mike Idoko said he dedicate the victory to Gov Samuel Ortom for the recent victory at the Apex Court of final jurisdiction and God Almighty.
By this victory, Lobi Stars have reclaimed her top position which was lost last week from Plateau United.
Lobi Stars will be travelling to Kano later in the week to slug it out against Jigawa Golden Stars in their adopted home on Saturday 1st February, 2020.
