Taiwo Rafiu and Michael Olalusi’s late goals were not enough for Sunshine Stars to pick at least a point at the Lafia City Stadium against Lobi Stars in a match-day 2 Elite League tie and the Makurdi-based side triumphed 3-2.
Read Also: Yellow & Blue Football Club: Sunday Team’s Nine-Year Journey Unveiled -Ajibola Benzema
Lobi Stars’ first chance came in the 11th minute but were denied by a brilliant goalkeeping save by Mustafa Lawal in goal for Sunshine Stars
The Ondo state-sponsored side did a lot of defending in the first 25 minutes of the encounter with the home team gaining much of the possession and eagerly looking for an opener
Sunshine Stars’ chance came in the 30th minute of the tie when Yusuf Ibrahim had a chance to give the away team a lead but Lobi Stars goalkeeper lucky Jimoh was brilliant enough to tip for a corner kick.
Sunshine Stars’ dominance wasn’t too long in the half-hour as Lobi Stars mounted from all wings in search of a goal but Sunshine Stars’ defence line marshalled by Duke Osimaga, Taiwo Rafiu and Isiaka Mutiu curtailed Lobi Stars attackers
Sunshine Stars attacker Yusuf Ibrahim was however shown a yellow card two minutes of added time in the first half for a rash challenge on the Lobi Stars midfielder as the first half ended goalless.
On resumption into the second half, Lobi Stars continued from where they stopped in the first 45 minutes but couldn’t get an opener until the 53rd minute when Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Mustafa Lawal failed to handle the ball perfectly, allowing the ball to drop off the goal line.
Edith Agoye however made a tactical change in the 59th minute, bringing in 3 players, this time Opeoluwa Olufemi, Michael Olalusi and lucky Nwafor replacing Yusuf Ibrahim, Richard Christopher and Nwani Ikechukwu.
In the 62nd minute, Sunshine Stars conceded another goal, this time Samuel Tiza beating Mustafa Lawal with a header.
Sunshine stars FC Pressurized Lobi’s defence in a bid to reduce the deficit but the Makurdi-based team was rock solid in defence.
Sunshine Stars however got a goal in the 75th minute, this time, Lanky defender Taiwo Rafiu with a thunderous strike from 24 yards to give Sunshine Stars a consolation.
Moments later, Edith Agoye replaced Abdulazeez Ajagbe with Nelson Osahon to give the Sunshine Stars attack more bite.
The new introductions pushed harder but Lobi stars were tactical in defence.
On the dot of 80, Lobi star Tiza Samuel struck again to increase his team’s tally to 3.
The scoreline stood at 3-1 for 12 minutes.
In the 90+2 minutes of the tie, Michael Olalusi superbly slotted home from the edge of the box to make it two for Sunshine Stars.
The match however ended 3-2 in favor of Lobi stars Fc.
Edith Agoye, in his post-match interview, picked the positives from the defeat urging his players to raise their heads up high.
Other News: Kebbi Governor Shares N5.7 Billion Palliative To 550,000 Families
” It’s not a game we ought to have lost, but that’s football for you, we’re going back home to re-strategize and prepare well ahead of our next game, this is one more to come, we shall stay focused” he concluded
Sunshine Stars’ next league game is against the Naze Millionaires Heartland FC
Team list vs Lobi stars
Mustapha Lawal 21
Isaac Emmanuel 32
Taiwo Rafiu 3
Duke Osimaga. 4
Isiaka Mutiu. 16
Iwundu Chidozie. 24
Nwani ikechukwu 29
Ajagbe Abdulazeez. 17
Ibrahim Yusuf. 9
Richard Christopher. 19
Oge Emmanuel. 2
Reserves
Ariyo David 1
Ogbuagu Emmanuel 5
Mutiu Dauda. 33
Michael Olalusi 26
Aniete ukoh. 25
Nelson Osahon. 13
Vincent Temitope. 11
Opeoluwa oluwafemi 20
Lucky Nwafor. 5
