In a tightly contested match at the Lafia City Stadium, Niger Tornadoes faced a setback, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Lobi Stars.
The Ikon Allah Boys displayed resilience and tactical prowess, holding their ground until a late Kumaga Suur goal tilted the balance in favour of the hosts.
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The game started with Niger Tornadoes executing their game plan flawlessly, matching Lobi Stars stride for stride in the opening moments.
The defensive prowess of Tornadoes thwarted all attacking endeavours of Lobi Stars throughout the first half. However, their efforts were hampered when Ifeanyi Okoye suffered a knock, leading to his replacement by Sadiq Isyaka just before the break.
The first half concluded in a deadlock, with both teams unable to find the back of the net. The second half saw Akintunde Azeez appearing to break the deadlock early on, only to have his goal disallowed for offside.
The turning point of the match occurred in the 75th minute when Kumaga Suur, seizing the opportunity, unleashed a thunderous shot that sailed past Joshua Enaholo, securing the decisive goal and sending the stadium into a frenzy of celebration.
Despite falling behind, Niger Tornadoes continued to fight, with Clinton Jephta coming close to equalizing with a long-range effort that struck the crossbar.
Tornadoes’ late substitutions, Bashir Usman and Farouk Manuga, aimed to salvage something from the game, but Lobi Stars held on to secure a narrow victory.
In a post-match press conference, acting TA Coach Majin Mohammed commended his players for their brave performance against a formidable Lobi Stars team.
The coach acknowledged the team’s efforts and fighting spirit, emphasizing the positive aspects of their play despite the defeat.
