By Austin Tyowua, Media Officer Lobi Stars FC
Lobi Stars will on Sunday 4th April 2021 play host to Jigawa Golden Stars inside the main bowl of the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi to wrap up the first round of the NPFL 2020/2021.
As minor as the visitors may appear, they remain a recurring difficult opponent for Lobi Stars. The pride of Benue need more than normal day performance output to make a meaningful result of the game.
Coming from a wounded background, having incurred a colossal loss in the hands of Akwa United in the Match Day 18 in Uyo by 3 unreplied first-half goals, a margin that have drastically weaken their goal stand from +5 down to +2, Lobi Stars need to up their game to at least cancel the last deficit.
If the existing head-to-head and the club’s current form is a determinant, The ORTOM Boys will be out for a difficult task. In as much as Lobi Stars have in recent times turned the Aper Aku stadium into a slaughter ground, Jigawa Golden Stars have shown the capacity to pull some impressive away results which makes the tie dicier.
The Coach Kabiru Dogo tutored lads are currently occupying an unimpressive 10th position with 25 points from 17 games with 1 outstanding, while Jigawa is trailing 3 places behind with 22 points from 17 games and 1 outstanding.
The last 5 games show that Lobi Stars won 3 and lost 2, while the Golden Stars won 1, draw 3 and lose 1. Incidentally, 2 of the draws are away games, which sends a dangerous message to any home team.
The all-time head-to-head games are only 5 and Jigawa Golden Stars have 3 wins to their credit, leaving Lobi Stars with only 2, a record that bigger clubs have not been able to make against the Pride of Benue.
Head to Head
1 feb 2020 Jigawa 1-0 Lobi
29 apr 2012 Lobi 1-0 Jigawa
22 mar 2012 Jigawa;1-0 Lobi
30 mar 2008 Lobi 1-0 Jigawa
25 nov 2007 Jigawa 1-0 Lobi
With a total of 19 goals from 17 game to average 1.12 per game for Lobi Stars as against Jigawa’s lowly 12 goals from 17 games averaging 0.71 per game indicate that Lobi Stars is a high scoring side and can unleash the prowess against the visitors resistance.
