Football is many times a game of fine margins. Lobi Stars had only one short on target – and that was all that mattered. They also played an entire half a man short. That never mattered.
In the end, the men from Makurdi were the only ones celebrating a gutsy away win in Ilorin.
The 1-0 loss left Kwara United fans in despair. They had arrived the stadium hopeful of a win against visitors well placed in the title race, but on a lethargic run of form – one win in five. Yet they were caught cold in the 21st minute by the energetic run of Alex Aghahowa from his deep-lying midfield position. He was too strong for every Kwara United attempt to halt his charge, so much that he suddenly found the required space and time to slot in beyond the reach of Iwu Emmanuel.
It was a goal that silenced the stadium and the home side’s immediate response was as feeble as it was frustrating for their fans.
The half ended with Lobi Stars requiring to play with 10 men after an off-the-ball incident was spotted by the assistant referee. A brief chat with the man in the centre was followed by Musa Najare earning a red card for an apparent elbow on Ejeh Isaiah that had evaded the view of the referee.
Kwara United started the second half much the better, understandably. But the required cutting edge was lacking. They introduced the tall Afolabi Abdulwaheed and offered to send the ball to the flanks with his height the obvious target. But most of their crosses were repelled.
Alao Danbani was at the heart of many of their attempts, however. But every time he manages to shoot, he was off target.
Kwara’s best chance fell to Agboola Joshua in the 69th minute. It was from a swift counter from deep in their half. He was put clear close to the edge of the Lobi box but his shot was wide, albeit not by much.
Having lost the experience of Musa Najere to bad conduct, Lobi stiffened their midfield with another who has fought many battles, Lordson Ichul; and towards the end, they brought in Samad Kadiri and left him alone upfront for some nuisance value.
It worked as he did a lot for the hold up play the few times the ball reached his end of the field. But it was the men who defended the goal at the other end that had more to do. They did it to perfection as Lobi held on for a vital win in Ilorin.
MATCH STATS
Kwara United 0-1 Lobi Stars
SHOTS ON TARGET: 3 -1
SHOTS OFF: 13- 4
CORNERS: 6- 1
OFFSIDES: 1 -3
YELLOW: 0-2
RED: 0-1
Story Credit: Tola Badekale
