Match Report Lobi Stars vs Shooting Stars

Recap

It was a thrilling and action-packed midweek encounter on Wednesday evening of December 29, 2021, as Shooting Stars SC gave Lobi Stars a threatening challenge in The NPFL Matchday 3 decided at the Aper Stadium Makurdi.

Typical of the experience about Lobi Stars in the 3 Matchday old League, they are proving to be late starters, that characteristic almost cost them a home loss as the Oluyole Warriors almost sniff life out of The Glory to Glory boys. The visitors mounted early pressure on Lobi Stars and hit the crossbar in the 7″ through Team Captain Akilu Mohammed and came close severally, their efforts paid off 5 minutes to the end of the first half, when  Akilu in his second opportunity lashed on a defensive mix up of  Lobi Stars to slot in the ball past Goalkeeper Emeka Onyia to put 3SC ahead.

Lobi Stars seemed to have woken up to the slumber and made daring incursions but non was converted to a goal, not even the 42″ penalty call, which the referee recalled out for a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Barnabas Imenger Jnr’s well-directed kick was saved by the excellent Goalkeeping of Charles Tambe,  the restart ushered in the end of the first half.

Upon resumption, Lobi Stars came in rejuvenated. Coach Eddy Dombraye rejigged his side 8 minutes into the second half as he pulled out Joshua Akhabue and Onuwa Chukwuka and introduce Nassiru Momoh and Ganda Samuel.

The game got more exciting, though Lobi Stars were one goal down all hope rises as Adams Olamilekan tormented the Shooting Stars defence till his efforts were rewarded when he converted Gabriel Wassa’s 63″ timely cross for the equalizer.

Olamilekan was on song again when he took a  72″ solo amidst a fleet of Shooting Stars defenders and ended with a cross that was precisely converted by Ifeanyi Ogba for the second goal for Lobi Stars and the eventual winner.

3SC reacted to the goal, the game became a counter upon counter-attacks and looked open. Credit to goalkeepers Emeka Onyia of Lobi Stars and Charles Tambe of 3SC as they all show class as worthy inclusions in their teams.

Wassa Gabriel gave out his place for Jackson Daniel in the 77″ to add bite to the attack as Eddy Dombraye was not satisfied with the one-goal margin. Osimaga Duke finally replaced Ifeanyi Ogba in the 2nd minute of added time to solidify the defence as Oluyole Warriors were becoming more and more threatening.

Though Lobi Stars ended the year in victory, Coach Eddy Dombraye have continually shown dissatisfaction in the performance of his boys but hoped to make it better with time. With this result, Lobi Stars are placed 6th on the log with only 2 points behind the table-toppers.

Line-up: Onyia, Olamilekan Wassa(Jackson), Alex, Kwambe, Akhabue (Ganda 53″), Ufere, Onyeka, Imenger Jnr, Onuwa (Momoh), Ogba (Osimaga 90+2)

Unsed Subs: Mustapha Aliko, Ogunye, Mubarak

Anayo, Inah Isha

Cautions: Alex Godwin 45″, Adams Olamilekan 75″

Adams Olamilekan 61’, Ifeanyi Ogba 72’ – Akilu Mohammed 40’