2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 22: Enyimba International FC hands Lobi Stars first home defeat at newly adopted ground

Posted : 04 February 2025

It was not a pleasant experience for Lobi Stars FC at their newly adopted home ground, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, as the visiting Enyimba International FC scored a solitary goal to snatch all three points at stake.

Recall that the Alia Boys abandoned the idea of playing their home games at the Lafia Township Stadium and subsequently received approval from the NPFL to move to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, a ground previously used by Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

However, it was a fortunate day for the nine-time champions, Enyimba FC, who left the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi with all three points.

A solitary strike from in-form forward Ifeanyi Ihemekwele was enough to secure the win for a determined Lobi Stars side in an electrifying Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 22 clash.

The goal, a product of brilliant vision from Ufere Chinedu, sparked wild celebrations among Enyimba fans, who have been craving consistency from their team.

Coach Stanley Eguma insisted that the People’s Elephant was far from being the finished product.

During the match, the People’s Elephant wasted many glaring goal opportunities, which could have made life easier for them had their attack been more clinical. Striker Joseph Atule, facing his boyhood club, squandered two golden chances, while debutant Michael Nelson also missed a sitter after coming on as a substitute in his debut match.

The wasted opportunities left the door open for a potential Lobi comeback, but Enyimba’s backline, led by their stand-in captain and CHAN Eagles goalkeeper, stood firm to record a rare clean sheet.

After the game, Coach Eguma remained level-headed, acknowledging the importance of the win but emphasizing that his squad is still evolving.

“We drew at home and came here to win, which shows no two games are the same,” Eguma noted. “We are still working, still trying to understand our players, and the players are still trying to understand my philosophy. It’s a work in progress. With time, we will get better, but it’s not yet time for celebration.”

The result lifts Enyimba slightly up the NPFL standings, but Eguma is well aware that his team cannot afford to slow down.

“We are not happy with our position on the log. We have to do something to move up. I am happy we moved a bit with this win, and I congratulate the players for their effort. But we need to push harder in upcoming games to ensure a steady climb.”

Enyimba’s next test comes against struggling Akwa United at the Nest of Champions in Uyo on Sunday. With the chase for the NPFL title heating up, Eguma will be hoping his “work in progress” starts yielding more polished performances.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 22: Enyimba International FC hands Lobi Stars first home defeat at newly adopted ground

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