By Wale Mustapha
Striker Ossy Martins produced man of the match performance as Lobi Stars ran out 2-0 winners against FC IfeanyiUbah in the MatchDay 21 of Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL) encounter in Makurdi on Sunday.
Ossy scored one of the goals and provided the other ending his goal drought in the league.
The center forward gave his side the first half lead when he tucked in from Duru Ebube’s cross before providing the second goal for Monday Akile in the second half.
The victory has however shot Lobi to 8th position on the log with 31 points from 20 games.
The hosts started with intent to claim the match points as captain Mathias went close to opening the score sheet in the opening fourth minute but his effort went wide.
Lobi went close again four minutes later when Mathias fed Duke Osimaga on the run, his low drive was blocked by Simeon Umeh and Ossy couldn’t make good use of the rebound.
Lobi Stars thought they have earned a chance for a spot kick when Abel James was adjudged to have stopped Ossy pass with his hand, but referee waived their appeal.
The hosts would soon get their deserved lead seven minutes after Ebube joined attack and delivered a low cross into IfeanyiUbah box which Ossy arrived from the crowd to place beyond Sharp Uzoigwe.
The Coach Kabir Dogo led side could have doubled their lead with three minuets to end the first half but Mathias couldn’t bring his curling effort down from Egbujue’s cut back pass.
The Anambra Warriors resumed second half with more purpose as Ekene broke from left wing and beat Ozor. His cross went across the face of goal with nobody to connect to it.
Lobi responded soon after and almost doubled their lead when Ossy outwitted his marker before delivering cross into space but Akile arrived late.
Akile would soon double Lobi’s lead as he jabbed in a cross from Ossy Martins.
From then on, it was all about the hosts as they sought to increase the lead but fell short of ideas to make them count.
IfeanyiUbah’s only effort in the second half came from Godwin Obinze but was denied by Alex Aghahowa’s timely block.
Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars, Kabir Dogo expressed delight with his side for near perfect performance just as he expressed confidence that the team would get even better.
Dogo told www.npfl.ng that the team have good plans to secure convincing results from their three subsequent away games.
“As you can see, we played very well today and you will also noticed the team is entirely different from the first round side, I believe we will improve more in subsequent games.
“It may seem difficult in the eyes (next games) but you know we are not a new comer to this league, we have plans to execute those games and we believe we will come out well from them.”
Dogo’s counterpart from IfeanyiUbah, Uche Okagbue admitted his side didn’t play to expectation adding that Lobi deserved the win.
Okagbue expressed hope that the Anambra Warriors will beat the drop at the end of the season.
“I must admit my team didn’t play well at all today, we got it all wrong and congrats to Lobi Stars, they deserve the win. Our position may not be good now but I am confident we will beat the drop,” he said.
