Prolific Lobi Stars on Wednesday subdued 10-man NPFL Champions, Rivers United in a five-goal thriller as Elijah Ani’s stoppage-time winner proved decisive in a rescheduled tie, played at New Jos Stadium, Plateau State.
Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru’s men have seated comfortably on the league table after knocking down Coach Stanley Eguma’s led side 3-2 to go 26 points on the group B table.
The Makurdi-based side started the long-awaited fixture with the desired intent of a class art performance, however, they were frustrated by the antics the visiting team, Rivers United deployed during proceedings, which hampered the free flow of the game as anticipated by football commentators. First half ended 0-0 as limited proceedings hampered scoring possibilities.
Suur Kumaga failed to turn John Lazurus’s cross into a scoring opportunity when the right back dropped a precise cross. The youngster reacted lately as the ball sail out for a goal kick in the 10th minute.
Rivers United Victor Sochima spent just 26 minutes on the pitch before he was shown the Exit door after denying Kumaga a goal-scoring opportunity when he intentionally stopped the ball with his hands outside the box, leaving the centre referee with no option but to send him off, Albert Korvah was sacrificed for goalkeeper Darlington Ovunda who mounted the goalpost of the visitors once again.
Lobi Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel was at his best to deny the duo of Ebube Duru and Williams Ukeme’s efforts in the 38 and 45+5 minutes.
Lobi Stars head coach Baba Ganaru introduced the duo Wasiu Alalade and Terdoo Shimagande to add firepower upfront after a careful examination sideline just before the second-half kickoff.
The visitors took the lead in the 66th minute through Farouk Mohammed after his well-taken free kick beat the goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel to go 0-1.
Three minutes after, Abba Umar restored Parity to make it 1-1 with a powerful left-footed strike that rested into the net after Elijah Ani laid an intelligent pass just outside the box.
Wasiu Alalade gave Lobi Stars the lead in the 86 minutes when he jumped taller to connect Lazarus’ cross on goal to spark jubilation as the minutes wind down, however, the celebration was cut short after Nyima Nwangwa met Duru’s corner kick and levelled things in the 90th minutes.
With six minutes of added time ticked down for the regulation time, Elijah Ani secured the maximum points for the Makurdi-based side when he headed a powerful delivery into the box by Lazarus beating goalkeeper Ovunda to make it 3-2 upon regulation time.
Lobi Stars Head Coach, Muhammed Baba Ganaru in a post match interview admitted that, indeed, it was a tough match.
“Playing against the current champions who are at the same time playing in the continental is a difficult one but we’ve put in our best and the result is what we all see “, he stated.
Lobi Stars Elijah Ani who gave assist for the first goal and later score the winning goal at stoppage time said it was a great feeling, adding that, he was happy playing at the club and believe to score more goals for the team.
“The most important thing is we needed the three points and we got it”. He maintained.
This great result secured after regulations time has overshadowed challenges the Makurdi-based side encountered throughout the match durations that were marred time watch by the visitors
