Ambitious Lobi Stars take their unbeaten record to Niger Tornadoes in what promises to be a showdown in the Nigeria Premier Football League, in Kaduna, on Sunday.
Both teams will meet at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, where Tornadoes have since adopted as their home ground, this term.
The venue is not strange to Lobi who understand the importance of this game.
0 vs 0 
Lobi StarsMISSED CHANCES, COSTS TORNADOES IN ANOTHER HOME STALEMATE:
Niger Tornadoes Football Club Minna were forced to a goalless draw by the visiting Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi in an NPFL Match-Day 6 North Central Derby.
The Ikon Allah Boys did everything but forgot their scoring boots as the visitors ran away with a point in what was a nail biting, high tempo 90 minutes of football at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
Tornadoes were all over the visitors in an attempt to grab an early goal, but ill-luck and wastefulness in front of goal denied the hosts, as no single chance was taken amongst a dozen that was created in the first half.
Niger Tornadoes introduced Jonas Emmanuel in the second half, in a bid to grab a goal and kill off the game, but all efforts proved abortive.
The hosts, thrice, appealed for a penalty when a ball was clearly handled in the box by the visiting team’s defender and Munir Idris was strangled in the box, but all calls went into deaf ears, as the arbiters thought otherwise.
The duo of Joseph Atule and experienced Abba Umar for Lobi Stars caused problems for Tornadoes backline, but were allowed no chance to wreck any havoc.
*COACH BALA’S ASSESSMENT OF THE GAME POST-MATCH:*
🗣️”Before the match we knew it’s going to be a tough one, playing against a good side like Lobi Stars, even though we have also prepared very well for the match”.
“I’m not happy at the end of the game due our inability to utilize our scoring chances. We created a lot of chiances, especially in the first half but he misses affected the scoreline otherwise we should have picked our three points”.
Nevertheless we are grateful to God we didn’t lose the match and got a point, we will continue to from there”.
*CAUTIONS:*
18′ Munir Idris
48′ David Okoromi
76′ Musa Wakili
SUBS:
42′ Shamsudeen Out, Waheed In.
46′ Jonas In, Moses Ugwu Out.
Uche In, Zango Out.
85′ Ifeanyi Okoye In, David Okoromi Out. Samuel Oduola In, Idris Saidu Out.
UNUSED:
Lucky Abdullahi
Peter Momoh
Nurudeen Jimoh
Douglas Achiv
Up Next
Sunshine Stars 🆚 Niger Tornadoes
12th Feb. 2023.
.
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season | Match Day | Full Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5, 2023 | 4:00 pm | NPFL | 2022/2023 | 6 | 90' |
Ground
| Ahmadu Bello Stadium |
|---|
Results
| Club | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niger Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lobi Stars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lobi’s four-match unbeaten run comes under test as the host will be out for a win.
Interestingly, Lobi claimed an away win the last time both teams met in Jos.
To a large extent, Lobi’s fate will be determined by Joseph Atule, who has been in blistering form for the Makurdi-based side.
Atule’s mastery of the wings made life unbearable for the Bayelsa United back four in the last home match and he is in good shape for the business in Kaduna.
Fondly called Mr. Assist, Atule’s combination with new kid on the block,
Kumaga Suur, has produced exciting moments for the club.
The performance of the team has boosted confidence of the fans which expect another win.
Niger Tornadoes have been unlucky in recent matches and coach Bala Mohammed, will hope for luck against Lobi.
Mohammed will turn to former Lobi Stars playmaker, Douglas Achiv, who understands the team.
Achiv got his break at Lobi Stars, left for Nasarawa United and returned for a second stint before switching to Tornadoes.
On his good day, Achiv is capable of breaking down any defence.
The outcome of the match will depend on how the Lobi defence is able to prevent Achiv from causing any damage.
Action gets underway from 4:00pm in Kaduna.
