Lobi Stars continued their incredible home record following a 2-0 defeat of NPFL newcomers, Doma United at the new Jos Stadium, as a goal each from Joseph Atule and Umar Abba ensured the home team’s grip at the top of Group B table, going into the break.
The Makurdi-based side returned to winning ways once again after a temporary setback on matchday 8 against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi.
Interestingly, the host started the clash with great intent but it took the “Shoe get Size” boys less than ten minutes into the first half to seal the important points against the Savannah Tigers who came with a lot of intimidation.
In the 6th minute, Lobi Stars midfielder, Francis Odinaka maneuvered his way into the 18-yard box, skipping past the opponent’s defense, however, he was stripped from behind by Doma United’s Saifullahi Yusuf, leaving the center referee with an easy decision to point to the penalty spot.
Lobi Star’s winger, Atule, stepped up on the big occasion to give his side the lead in the 7th minute, sending goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi the wrong way to score his 4th goal of the season.
Two minutes after the first goal, former Kastina United attacking midfielder, Umar Abba, having received a clever pass from Terdoo Shimagande, doubled the lead for the host with a fierce shot that was well taken 26 yards away from goal, leaving goalkeeper Osayi with no attempt, increasing his tally for the season to 4.
The visitors tried to regroup to fix things right after going down in quick succession, but they failed to create any meaningful chance as the Lobi Stars duo of Sunday Chinedu and Orji Kalu ensured the trio of Samuel Enefiok, Usman Musa, and Emmanuel Ogwuche had no threat on Goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel as the first 45 minutes ended 2-0.
Upon resumption from the interval, Coach Onigbinde Akinade of Doma United made some tactical changes. He replaced Emmanuel Ogwuche with Bidemi Owoku in 45 minutes and Samuel Enefiok with Chibuke Charles in the 48th minute, but it was efforts in futility as the solidity of Lobi Stars’ back four gave no room for the visitors to exploit.
The host team, on the other hand had some opportunities to score more goals after the interval but Atule and Shimgande spurned many chances that would have seen the Makurdi-based side increase their goal difference, going into the second half of the season.
Overall, Lobi Stars displayed quality football to secure the maximum points at the final whistle of regulation time.
With the result, Lobi Stars have secured 19 points to end the first round on position 1, after 9 matches played.
Second-placed Sunshine Stars have 15 points from 9 matches. Rivers United is in position 4 in the group with 13 points, with three outstanding games due to their Continental engagements.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the match, Lobi Stars head Coach, Muhammed Baba Ganaru thanked God for the victory and appreciated the good character of players which made the result possible.
“We thank God for the match, a very good result…as usual, our boys were very disciplined, showing good character working in the defense and attack which gave birth to the result “, he said.
On his part, the Technical Adviser of Doma United, Onigbinde Akinade said in football, when you make unnecessary mistakes, you pay for it.
“First, we conceded too early, the penalty kick was a true one, and then the second goal which came after 2 minutes from the first and so we ended up with the result”, says Doma United gaffer.
With this game, Lobi Stars Football Club will join the rest of the NPFL team to embark on an election break and will resume back for the remainder of the matches on the 25th of March, 2023, and they will be hosted by the Savannah Tigers, Doma United, in Gombe State.
