Returnee ex-international, Dele Aiyenugba had his four match clean sheets dented by Lobi Stars even as his side, Kwara United won 2-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium on MatchDay 8 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter.
The first opportunity of the match had come to Kwara United through Wasiu Alade who located Michael Ohanu with only Lobi Stars’ goalkeeper to beat but he slipped in the process just as the assistant referee’s flag went up for offside.
On the 15th minute, Jide Faokun missed another opportunity to put Kwara ahead but his effort was saved by Lobi goalkeeper, Ocheje Moses.
The host went on to dominate proceedings in the first stanza and had a penalty appeal on 41 minutes turned down by the referee.
Lobi Stars restarted the second half better than the hosts, dominating and threatening Kwara United each time they poured forward.
But Kwara United would regain control of the match later into the half and taking the game to the visitors half but with little to show for it.
This dominance continued into the 58th minute when Jide Faokun met Taiwo Salaudeen’s cross and the resultant header hit a Lobi defender’s hand for a handball which the centre referee awarded as a penalty.
Christopher Nwaeze would step forward to take the penalty and though he scored, Lobi Stars’ goalkeeper Moses Ocheje was close to saving it.
Kabiru Adeniji left the Kwara United’s bench in anguish as he failed to score with Lobi goalkeeper to beat in the 70th minute and missing an opportunity from a one-on-one situation.
Jude Stephen doubled Kwara United’s lead in the 76th minute from a perfect direct free kick.
Substitute Samuel Tiza then reduced the tally for the visitors after 80 minutes when he scored from an open play after a failed corner kick execution to end the match 2-1.
With the result, Kwara United now moved to 3rd position on the log with 15 points from 8 games and they play Sunshine Stars in Akure on Sunday.
