The Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi, venue of the NPFL Match-day 20 between Lobi Stars and Enugu Rangers Int’l was enveloped in unprecedented celebration as the mammoth crowd that came out to watch and cheer Lobi Stars to victory wasn’t left disappointed.
Lobi Stars had suffered victory drought beginning from Match-day 15 as they lost five matches in a row both home and away but all that ended on Sunday, April 3 with the convincing 2-0 win over title contenders Enugu Rangers.
Two second half goals from Raphael Ayagwa and newly signed Geoffrey Utim in the 68th and 86th minute secured the three points and reduced the goal deficit for Lobi Stars.
The keenly contested duel was characterised by fireworks and fierce threat from the visiting team.
Lobi Stars showed character and hunger for victory, ironically with almost the same players who had lost steam in the first round and were percieved by many as been below average.
However, the revamped players showed intent early in the match as they won two corner kicks in less than 10 minutes in addition to goal scoring opportunities that were not taken.
Lobi Stars first opportunity that would have put them ahead came when a perfect delivery from Osimaga Duke from the right flank provided an interconnect among Azeez Shobowale, Samuel Ganda and Adams Olamilekan who placed for a supporting Osimaga to strike a power packed shot that went above the wood work.
Another opportunity followed in the 14th minute when Douglas Achiv was brought down on the fringe of the penalty area but the resultant free kick by Ayagwa Raphael wasn’t utilised by bullish and skillful Ifeanyi Ogba.
The biggest chance of the half for Lobi Stars came in 16th minute when Olamilekan’s forward run on the left resulted into a well timed pass to Ogba but his shot ended up in the waiting hands of Rangers goalkeeper Seidu Mutawakilu.
Rangers Int’l also showed stellar character typical of a team that had gone five matches unbeaten, including the 3-0 spanking of Akwa United in Uyo in Match-day 18, as their attack led by a former Lobi Stars marksman Ossy Martins was a torn in the flesh of Lobi Stars defense but the doggedness and tirelessness of the hosts’ defence co-marshalled by Endurance Ebedebiri and Moses Tsehuan backed by excellent goalkeeping by Emeka Onyia stood their ground.
Lobi Stars came close again in 34th minute when a bicycle kick by goal scoring machine, Ifeanyi Ogba, from Olamilekan’s second touch cross arising from Tsehuan’s through pass was saved by Earnest Governor’s header.
The missed opportunity foreclosed Lobi Stars’ chances for a first half goal as the eventful half ended barren just as the enthusiastic fans’ hope for early goals appeared to have waned considerably.
Rangers resumed the second half looking better than the first with firm dominance of the midfield till the 58th minute when injured Douglas Achiv limped out and gave way for the game changer, energetic Onuwa Chukwuka while Akile Monday took over from young Adams Olamilekan.
The changes proved effective as a renewed strength was visibly noticed in the middle for Lobi Stars.
In the 63rd minute, Ebedebiri reversed an attack from defense and dropped a forward pass for a dashing Azeez Shobowale who interplayed with Onuwa Chukwuka and came face to face with goalkeeper Mutawakilu before he was hacked down in the box by Ernest Governor to hand Lobi Stars a penalty kick as was rightly called by the centre referee.
Ayagwa’s first attempt from the spot in the 65th minute was saved by the goalkeeper but the eagle eyed 2nd assistant referee spotted an infringement and the kick had to be retaken.
The ever confident Ayagwa then hung his second attempt in the far right angle in the 68th for Lobi Stars opening goal that sent the expectant fans into a frenzy.
Rangers reacted immediately as the fans were kept on the edges of their seats as each move of the visitors became increasingly dangerous but the concerted defensive efforts of Tsehuan and the clinical saves of goalkeeper Emeka Onyia continued to frustrate their efforts.
Coach Baba Ganaru stepped up his tactics as he rightly replaced fagged out defensive midfielder Ayagwa and striker Ogba with Solomon Kwambe and Geoffrey Utim.
The substitutions maximally paid off as Utim became an instant nightmare to Rangers defense as the first half chance he created in the 84th minute was almost converted to a goal but Mutawakilu was alive to save Rangers from more misery.
However, the visiting team ran out of luck in the 86th minute as poor communication between defence ace Earnest Governor and his goalkeeper paved the way for a lurking Utim to capitalize on the mix-up to quickly slot in the ball past the hapless keeper to wrap up the resounding victory for Lobi Stars.
At the end of the feisty affair, an elated vice Chairman and CEO of Lobi Stars, Mr Dominic Iorfa, thanked the teeming fans and people of Benue for giving him huge and overwhelming support which he described as unimaginable.
He also called on the fans to sustain their support for the club adding that the journey was just starting starting.
With the 2-0 victory over Rangers Int’l, Lobi Stars have stepped out of the much dreaded red line on the log at least for now.
