Lobi Stars FC suffered yet another setback as Dakkada FC forced them to a goalless draw in an NPFL 2019/2020, match day 16 played Sunday 19/01/2020 inside the main bowl of The Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi.
Today’s goalless draw counted for a lost of five points out of six in 2 games. Having lost to Rivers United in a mid-week encounter in Port Harcourt. Though Lobi Stars lost vital points but because of the strings of good results in previous outings they still maintain a joint top position but placed second behind plateau United by technical superiority of goals.
The game kicked off by exactly 4 PM off the foot of Dakkada FC forward player Femi Ajayi. 1st and 2nd minutes saw Dakkada launched their first attack but ended up in a throw in, Dakkada’s right full back Peter Etukhube delivered the throw in, Lobi Stars Central defense man Governor Ernest 3rd minute kick out of danger located Mathias Samuel who in turn passed to Abdulkareem Mumini, wonder boy Mumini took on the Imo Obot big heartedly towards the goal but his not too strong shot couldn’t beat the shaky hands of Dakkada FC goalkeeper Vincent Edafe and his cover up defender snapped the ball in to corner kick.
Clinical display of football artistry from both sides continued, a 5th minute defensive clearance found Lazarus John, his forward pass down the line located Abdulkareem Mumini, Mumini raced down the flank and was furiously tackled by Obot, he struggled his way to an eventful finish but his effort was caught short as the centre referee judged him to have undo the defender through the use of excess force.
15 minutes of play, Lobi Stars Governor Ernest initiated an attack his long but accurate pass located Samad Kadiri, Kadiri’s efficient control, quick drive and effective cross was punched out of danger by the safe hands of Dakkada’s Vincent Edafe to abort what was an opportunity for Lobi Stars to take the lead.
In the 17th minute, Peter Etukhube’s rough tackle brought down Lobi Stars tall lanky Sunday Adetunji of Lobi Stars. The tackle earned Lobi Stars a free kick and Etukhube a yellow card.
Dakkada’s yellow carded Peter Etukhube was stretchered out in the 20th minute and was replaced in the 22nd minute by Unwana Asuquo as all the medical attention couldn’t get him back on the field.
Lobi Stars came close once again in an attempt to take the lead when Samad Kadiri’s clinical and quick shot at goal almost caught goalkeeper Vincent Edafe napping but his focused and calm disposition in goal aided him to saved the ball with a firm grip.
Goalkeeper Vincent Edafe once again proved to be the match saviour for Dakkada after a well coordinated attack initiated by Mathias Samuel through Abdulkareem Mumini to Samad Kadiri but Samad’s shot at goal went straight to the waiting and safe hands of Edafe.
One minute later, Chinedu Udeagha breaks away from the right side speedily, his precise pullout beat the whole defence line of Dakkada FC backwards but unfortunately a returning Dakkada mid-field player pick up in to safety.
45 minutes, Mathias Samuel’s thunder bolt from a saved kick in front of Dakkada’s goal met the brick wall of their defense. 45+2 Centre Referee sounded his whistle for half time. Scoreline, Lobi Stars 0-0 Dakkada .
Upon resumption, Lobi Stars introduced Chukwudi Nwaodu for Sunday Adetunji before the second half kicked off. Lobi Stars took the second half kick off and launched an attack for a goal but the whole effort was caught off by Edafe.
A 54th minute daring move by Abdulkareem Mumini took on two defenders and beat goalkeeper Vincent Edafe this time with a pass to Samad Kadiri who had an almost empty net but headed off target.
Pressure continued to mount on Dakkada as Abdulkareem Mumini twisted through the defense line of Dakkada from the left side attacking 3rd of the field 2 minutes later and released a swift grounder shot to the far lower angle of the goal but missed narrowly.
71 minutes, Dakkada’s daring effort almost got them a goal save the safe hand of Lobi Stars goalkeeper Faith James. Chinedu Udeagha’s 73 minutes cross was lowered with a header by Samad Kadiri for Lazarus John whose shot at goal went wide of the goal posts.
Lobi Stars became more ruthless in the attack as the clock ticks downwards. A 78 minutes build up by Chinedu Udeagha and substitute Joseph Osadiaye was blocked out of danger by the good defensive work of Dakkada.
Dakkada players employed the use of dirty time wasting tricks pushing the match in to a barren draw. In the 80th minute a Dakkada player feigned injury and was stretchered out while fair play was been observed in the circumstance.
In the 84th minute, substitute Chinedu Nwaodu who couldn’t find his feet in the game was substituted as Utibe Arit took over. Lobi Stars late incursions masterminded by Chinedu Udeagha on the left side, supported by Joseph Osadiaye and Ebube Duru could not change the score line.
Two members of the Dakkada medical team were red carded in the 90th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct of aiding the players to waste regulation time through circumvention.
90+1: Lobi Stars got a well positioned free kick, Ebube Duru drives his trade mark dead ball shots at goal but was saved by the goalkeeper
90+5 Chinedu Udeagha break loose but was brought down in the penalty area but it seems there was a determination from the referee to end the match without a penalty so he over looked the incidence. The Referee ended the game 90+6 minutes. Lobi Stars were thus forced to a barren draw.
The pride of Benue will be home next Sunday 26th January, 2020 to Nasarawa United to win and reclaim their no1 spot on the league table.
