By Austin Tyowua, Media Officer, Lobi Stars FC
Recovering from last week’s loss in Kaduna to Jigawa Golden Stars, Lobi Stars came out red hot Sunday, May 16 in an NPFL 2020/2021 in Makurdi to show superiority over hard fighting FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Match Day 21 to end it 2-0.
True to the elements of the preview, FC Ifeanyi Ubah exhibited serious resistance, coming close at several intervals, but the overall capacity of Lobi Stars stood firm with a match-winning mentality.
Tragedy almost struck as jumbo size Lobi Stars goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali crashed with FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s captain Uche Onuoha in a 50-50 situation, it took the intervention of a combined medical team of Lobi Stars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah to arrest the situation as the well-equipped ambulance move closer to the scene before he was resuscitated.
The exchange of fireworks only paid off in the 37th minute when Ossy Martins put Lobi Stars ahead off Ebube Duru’s delivery from a short corner kick on the right for the opener. Several other attempts to increase the goal tally ensued but Goalkeeper Sharp Uzoigwe stood between Lobi Stars and an increase till the end of the first stanza.
Upon resumption, Kabiru Dogo introduced Chinonso Okonkwo and Abiodun Kayode to take over from Nnamdi Egbujuo and Austin Ogunye to add power to the Lobi Stars attack. The change seemed positive as FC Ifeanyi Ubah were completely placed on the defensive.
Ossy Martin’s clinical 51st-minute interpass with Nonso Okonkwo on the right got Martins down the line as he outran all the opponents and did a quick cross for onrushing Monday Akile who missed the step that would have made it easy for him to convert for a goal.
Lobi Stars’ persistent hunt for more goals got a boost as Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s 62nd-minute long hand service to Ossy Martins who overpowered the defense of FC Ifeanyi Ubah to deliver a precise cross to Monday Akile who made no mistake this time to effortlessly tuck into the net for the second goal for The Ortom Boys.
In the 85th minute, Monday Akile, scorer of the second goal was on the ground and the referee stopped the game to observe and call for medical attention, he was as a result, replaced by Douglas Achiv 3 minutes later, while Adakole Benedict took over from Ossy Martins 1 minute to full time.
Last-minute reaction from Ifeanyi Ubah almost narrowed the goal margin but the last gasp for defense by Alex Aghahowa blocked the shot into a corner kick to save the Coach Kabiru Dogo tutored lads. The center Referee ended the game at 90+2 minutes after the corner kick was taken.
Lobi Stars will be on the road to Lagos later in the week to confront MFM in an NPFL Match Day 22. With this result, Lobi Stars are now placed 8th position on the log as against the 11th before the game.
