Lobi Stars put up a spirited second half performance to see off Kwara United with a 2-0 victory in the Matchday 28 of Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL) encounter on Sunday. Substitute, Monday Akile turned out the hero on the day.
The Pride of Benue were relieved with two quick goals from Sani Mohammed and Monday Akile to maintain their unbeaten run at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.
Lobi could have taken the lead inside eight minute of the game but Chinonso Okonkwo headed wide from Ebube Duru’s perfect cross.
Kwara thought they had their nose in front a minute later when Kabir Balogun beat Nwabali after a team build-up but the winger had his effort chalked off for offside.
Lobi Stars responded with their spell of dominance and almost went ahead on two occasions but Kwara’s towering defender, Jide Williams stood in between their luck as he thwarted their scoring opportunities from Okonkwo and Douglas Achiv.
Experienced goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba was also called to action in the closing moments of first half as he dived full length to parry Okonkwo’s volleyed effort.
Both teams effected changes before the start of second half but it was Lobi who had it worked for them.
Akile and Onuwa replaced Achiv and Ogunye while Kwara swapped Ohanu and Gata for Alalade and Farayola all before the commencement of second stanza.
Akile would made a quick impact for the hosts as he provided the first goal for Lobi when Sani connected with his delivery from free kick with two minuets before the hour mark.
The winger would then turn a scorer three minutes after as he turned in a cross from Ebube Duru making it look difficult for a Kwara’s comeback.
Jude and Alalade made some incursions into Lobi’s goal area but were denied by the keeper, Stanley Nwabali and his organized defense.
The Harmony Boys made a late surge with more men in attack and had the ball in the net through Alalade’s finish but his effort was flagged for offside.
Ossy Martins also saw his chance to increase his goal tally saved by Dele Aiyenugba when placed through by Onuwa.
Introduction of Joshua Agboola and Junior Abayomi for Kwara could not yield anything meaningful as they surrendered the match points to the hosts.
Coach of Kwara United, Abdullahi Biffo admitted his boys were second best in the match adding that Lobi deserved the victory as reflected in the scoreline.
The former Katsina United and Abia Warriors’ handler told npfl.ng that he confident of his side ending the season a good note.
“The game is won and lost, I must say that the better won, as you can see from the result, 2-0, Lobi really came out to win and they got it, though its not what we planned, we came here to get something, as you can see, at first half we played very well but in second half we cave in.
“We still have time to go back and make adjustment on ourselves and I still believe we will finish the season well,” he said.
Biffo’s counterpart from Lobi Stars, Kabiru Dogo said he envisaged a difficult match for his team but had fashioned a way out with his substitutes.
The soft spoken manager praised the team for stepping up the game in the second a performance he described as a reflection of their hard work and focus.
Dogo did not want to be drawn into his side’s continental chances as he think it would draw more pressure and distraction on his boys.
“First of all, I like commend the players for this win and how they keyed into the plans in second half, its a victory for all of us at Lobi.
“We knew they (Kwara) would give us worries so we planned well for that if we can’t get our goals early in the first half, we keep the shape and regroup better for second and the changes we made worked out for us, so I’m happy for the team.
“I will not want us to start talking about a continental ticket, we still have more games to play and I will not want the boys to be distracted so I advise the fans to take it easy with the team and allow us take each games as they come then we will see where it will place us at the end of the season,” Dogo said.
Lobi Stars have now garnered 43 points from 28 matches placing them eighth on the log while Kwara United are occupying fifth position haven played 27 games with 46 points to show for it.
Lobi Stars will be guest to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi next week while Kwara will host Sunshine Stars in Ilorin.
