Joseph Atule secured the maximum points for Lobi Stars after scoring from the penalty spot on match day 5 to end visiting Sunshine Stars’ unbeaten run in their midweek clash as Lobi Stars maintained second on the league table.
The Makurdi-based side continued from where they stopped after securing victory on match day 4 over Bayelsa United, they entered into match day 5 with attacking intent as they laid an early onslaught on the visiting team’s defense in search of an opener.
Francis Odinaka failed to give Lobi Stars an early lead when he jabbed the ball off target just 4 minutes into the game from close range when Joseph Atule’s corner kick created anxiety in the visitor’s defense.
The ball met the midfielder from close range, unfortunately, his one-time jab went off target.
5 minutes after, Sunday Chinedu would have broken the deadlock with his long-range strike that caught goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal flat-footed, however, his effort was denied by the crossbar to keep the scoreline goalless.
Lobi Stars continued knocking on the door in search of an opener as the host dominated play, the visitors rather deployed tactics that saw them made no attempt on goal which kept goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel on holiday without being troubled during proceedings.
Youngster Suur Kumaga would have registered his name on the score sheet before halftime when he came from the blank side to meet Umar Abba’s poll out just 24 minutes of play, unlucky for him, his shot hit the side of the net for a goal kick.
Lobi Stars grew into the game taller dominating play with Anas Hassan, Francis Odinaka, and Orji Kalu kept moving positively for the host as Joseph Atule was upfront terrorizing the Akure-based side with his speed. The first half ended goalless.
Lobi Stars head Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru made some tactical changes in the second half to break down the stubborn defense of the visiting team when he replaced Kalu Orji with Chinonso Okonkwo in the 56th minute to add more life to the attack as the search for an opener intensified.
The visitors slowed down the pace of the game to suit their tactics. Coach Edith Agoye whose team had no shot on target decided to replace Mafeng Pam with Samson Olasupo in the 62nd minute to add firepower but to no avail due to the disciplined defense of Lobi Stars that combined to keep the visitors off guide.
Anxiety was already setting in as the visitors were almost leaving the pitch with a point.
However, four minutes to regulation time turned things in Lobi Stars’ favor when Umar Abba cleverly gave the ball to Joseph Atule deep into the opponent’s box.
The former Kastina United Star’s shot was blocked by Ozoechi Ejike’s hand in the sixteen-yard box in the 86th minute, leaving the center referee with no option but to point to the penalty spot.
Atule stepped up on the big occasion and dispatched Mustapha Lawal the wrong way as he calmly slotted the ball into the net in the 93rd minute to change the scoreline to 1-0.
The visitors stepped up in the dying minutes to restore parity but were curtailed by Moses Tsehuan and Sunday Chinedu as the referee ended the explosive encounter after regulation time.
Lobi Stars won 1-0 to maintain second on the table.
Reacting in a post-match interview, Lobi Stars Gaffer Mohammed Baba Ganaru thanked God for the victory.
“I’m glad about the character and commitment my boys put into the game that saw us emerge victorious, the game was difficult due to the missed chances and the delay tactics adopted by the visitors”, he stated.
Joseph Atule who scored the only goal of the game from the spot gave his verdict. “I’m happy with the result, I want to score more goals to emerge as the highest goal scorer at the end of the season”.
Sunshine Stars head Coach, Edith Agoye while speaking with press men shortly after the match said it was a good game from both teams, adding that, his side deployed difficult tactics in the first half which was hard for them.
“We tried to open up the game in the second half to see weather we could get something, but Lobi Stars is a very good side that can win at any ground without any support, they have been motivated well under a good football administrator who is working hard for the success of the club, i assured you to go back and fix things right”, he said.
