Match Report: Lobi Stars vs Abia Warriors

Recap

LOBI STARS DEMOLISH ABIA WARRIORS TO CONSOLIDATE ON TOP POSITION

Two first-half goals from the duo of Abba Umar and Joseph Atule helped Lobi Stars FC to demolish visiting Abia Warriors FC 2-0 in their week 13 fixture played on Sunday at the New Jos Township Stadium to consolidate on their leadership of Group B table.

Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru and his men ensured that their fans celebrate Easter in style as they capped their dominance with the maximum points to keep their focus on the playoff as the 2023 NPFL season gradually winds down
Goalkeeper Femi Thomas of Abia Warriors stood firm to deny the likes of Suur Kumaga, John Lazarus, Elijah Ani and Joseph Atule from breaking the deadlock early in the encounter when the Makurdi-based side searched for an opener.

The hosts continued with their bombardment of the visitors’ defence until the deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when one of their leading goalscorers, Umar Abba, found the back of the net with a scorcher.

The former Kastina United hitman did it in style as he received a precise pass from Atule just outside the box, pushed the ball into the 18-yard box before releasing a thunderous strike into the net to put his side in front.

15 minutes after, former Rangers forward, Elijah Ani released Atule on goal with a penetrative pass that caught the visitor’s defence napping and the former Kastina United man placed the ball beyond the onrushing Warriors’ keeper to double the lead before halftime.

On resumption, Lobi Stars pushed forward in search of more goals in the encounter that was beginning to look like a one-way traffic, however, Umar Abba and Atule were unlucky as their efforts failed to hit the desired target.

The visitors who recently suffered an embarrassing 1-5 defeat in the hands of resurgent Bayelsa United also pushed forward to reduce the deficit through Lukeman Bello but the solidity of Lobi Stars’ backline marshalled by Moses Tsehuan and Sunday Chinedu curtailed all his attempts to keep the scoreline at 2-0 till the final whistle.

In a post match interview, Lobi Stars Assistant Coach, Tar Akombo said he was glad that his side secured the maximum points adding that the lads would continue to work harder in subsequent games.

The Lobi Stars legend also maintained that the former champions were prepared for future challenges in the NPFL and beyond.

Head Coach of Abia Warriors, Erasmus Onah on his part praised the Makurdi-based side for their quality from the start to the end of the match.

The former ABS and Kwara United gaffer also confessed that a lot has to be injected into his team in order to get back to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Lobi Stars have secured 23 points from 12 matches to maintain the top position in Group B.