Amidst turbulence and threat of pay cut, Kabiru Dogo leads Lobi Stars to earn a deserving draw at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium over host Katsina United in an NPFL Match Day 33 on Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Tiza Samuel’s precision, quality build-up, and brilliant finish put Lobi Stars ahead, as he initiated a 6′ build-up, dribbled forward to cover the space with a double pass with Douglas Achiv to continue the forward movement with the ball towards the fringe of the penalty area and ended up with a power-packed strike with accuracy that beat Goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly for Lobi Stars goal. Stanley Nwabali was booked for unsporting behavior 4′ after the goal.
Katsina United reacted to the goal and came close to equalize but Alex Aghahowa was on hand to save what would have been an equalizer as he stretched full length to block out the goal possibility into a corner kick in the 12′. 9′ later, Lobi Stars’ center halfback Salawudeen Aliu blocked out a similar opportunity from Rasheed Ahmed precisely 21′.
33′ extent of play, The Ortom boys suffered a momentary loss of concentration that the chanji boys made premium of it when Atule received a pass from a free-kick quick start from the right attacking third and manage a lift in the goal area for an unmarked Rasheed Ahmed to head home a weak one that surprisingly beat Stanley Nwabali for the equalizer.
Monday Akile’s 44′ solo effort almost gave the Glory to Glory boys a second lead as he benefited from a drop ball dribbled two defenders before unleashing a shot that entered the waiting hands of the goalkeeper Daouda Kasali as the last effort of the first half.
The firepower of the host continued as anxiety to win enveloped them and Lobi Stars took advantage of it and strategically mobilize to either score another goal or maintain the even scoreline.
As the Chanji boys became desperate to get a winner, Lobi Stars relied on a swift counterattack that gave them several chances but flopped by the goal-shy Akile Monday and his co-travelers.
Osimaga was booked in the 61′ minute as he called the referees’ attention to a deliberate handball by Joseph Atule in the penalty area of Lobi Stars that almost resulted to a goal for them if not the extra effort of Salwudeen Aliu.
In the 73′ Mathias Samuel was stretchered out as a result of injury and replace by Onuwa Chukwuka while Man of the moment Tiza Samuel was replaced by Chinonso Okonkwo after 2′.
Carlos Geleya and Lordson Chugh replaced Austin Ogunye and Monday Akile in the 88′ as more intense pressure mounted on Lobi Stars, but the Salawudeen Aliu led defense resisted and stood still till the referee end the game after 7′ added time.
