2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 2: Lobi Stars dim Sunshine Stars' brightness in Markurdi

Posted : 09 October 2023

Taiwo Rafiu and Michael Olalusi late goals were not enough for Sunshine stars to pick at least a point at the Lafia City stadium against lobi stars in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 2 as Lobi Stars trounced Sunshine Stars 3-2 in five-goals thriller match.

Lobi stars first chance came in the 11th minutes but was denied by a brilliant goalkeeping by Mustafa lawal.

The Edith Agoye-tutored side did a lot of defending in the first 25th minutes of the encounter with the home team gaining much of the possession and eagerly looking for an opener

Sunshine stars chance came in the 30th minutes of the tie when Yusuf Ibrahim had a chance to give the away team a lead but lobi stars goalkeeper lucky Jimoh was brilliant enough to tip for a corner kick.

The Akure Gunners dominance wasn't too long in the half hour as Lobi stars mounted from all wings in search of a goal but Sunshine stars defence line marshalled by Duke Osimaga , Taiwo Rafiu and isiaka Mutiu curtailed lobi stars attackers

Sunshine stars attacker Yusuf Ibrahim was however shown a yellow card two minutes of added time in the first half for a rash challenge on Lobi stars midfielder as the first half Ended goalless.

On resumption into the second half Lobi Stars continued from where they stopped in the first 45 minutes but couldn't get an opener until the 53rd minutes when Sunshine stars goalkeeper Mustafa Lawal failed to handle the ball perfectly , allowing the ball to drop off goal line.

Edith Agoye however made a tactical change in the 59th minutes, bringing in three players, Opeoluwa Olufemi, Michael Olalusi and lucky Nwafor replacing Yusuf Ibrahim, Richard Christopher and Nwani Ikechukwu.

In the 62nd minutes Sunshine Stars conceded another goal , this time Samuel Tiza beating Mustafa lawal with a header.

Sunshine Stars FC pressurized Lobi's defence in a bid to reduce the deficit but the Makurdi based team were rock solid in defence .

Sunshine stars however got a goal in the 75th minutes through its lanky defender, Taiwo Rafiu with a thunderous strike from 24 yards to give Sunshine stars a consolation.

Moments later, Edith Agoye replaced Abdulazeez Ajagbe with Nelson Osahon to give Sunshine Stars attack more bite .

The new introductions pushed harder but Lobi Stars were tactical in defence .

On the dot of 80th minutes, Lobi Stars, Tiza Samuel struck again to increase his team's tally to 3 .

The scoreline stood at 3-1 for 12 minutes.

In the 90+2 minutes of the tie , Michael Olalusi superbly slotted home from the edge of the box to make it two for Sunshine stars.

The match however ended 3-2 in favor of Lobi Stars FC.

Edith Agoye, in his post match interview picked the positives from the defeat urging his players to raise their head up high.

``it's not a game we ought to have lost, but that's football for you, we're going back home to re- strategize and prepare well ahead of our next game, this is gone, more to come , we shall stay focus " he concluded

Sunshine Stars next league game is against the Naze Millionaires Heartland FC .

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 2: Lobi Stars dim Sunshine Stars' brightness in Markurdi

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