Lobi Stars keep title hope alive with lone goal victory over defending champions Enyimba Int'l FC

Posted : 08 April 2024

A second-half header by Alao Danbani helped Lobi Stars earn maximum points against reigning champions, Enyimba International, in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 29 match played on Sunday, April 7, at the Lafia City Stadium, moving them joint top of the table with Rangers International of Enugu.

Lobi Stars FC entered the match with the same starting eleven as against Sporting Lagos in matchday 28, hoping to break the deadlock before halftime but were frustrated by Super Eagles fringe goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo, who stood firm between the sticks to ensure the first half of the high-profile match ended in a stalemate.

However, on resumption, Coach Eugene Agagbe made some tactical changes, replacing Stanley Oganbor and Christian Izuchukwu with Samuel Tiza and Ahmadu Liman, and instantly the changes had the desired effect, as it didn't take long before the deadlock was broken.

Former Kwara United man, Danbani, who was a constant threat to the big elephants from Aba, headed home the much-awaited goal in the 58th minute to separate the two title contenders.

The former African champions almost leveled immediately after the restart, but Lobi Stars goalkeeper Daniel Emmanuel made a spectacular save to deny Chijioke Mbaoma's header, keeping the scoreline 1-0 as the titanic battle gradually wound down.

In the dying minutes of the match, Oganbor almost doubled Lobi Stars' lead with a strike from the near post, but goalkeeper Ojo again made a wonderful save for a more respectable scoreline as the 'Pride of Benue' secured maximum points.

Coach Agagbe thanked his players for following instructions, which led to Lobi Stars' crucial victory against the two-time CAF Champions League winners.

"I thank my players for the fighting spirit they exhibited throughout the match. As a coach, you have a strategy to win matches, so in the first half, I took my time to study my opponents because it's been about three months since we played them in Aba.

"So, in the second half, I brought on two players and changed my tactics, and by the grace of God, we secured the three points in the end.

"I am happy to have great players who are ready to push for the title. They played well with the character we are known for, and we will approach our next opponents, 3SC, with renewed vigor," he assured.

With the result, Lobi Stars, now on 51 points, share the top of the table with Enugu Rangers, who lost 4-3 to Katsina United earlier on Sunday.

Next up, Lobi Stars will travel to the Southwest to face one of the oldest clubs in Nigeria, 3SC, formerly known as IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, in Matchday 30.

Lobi Stars keep title hope alive with lone goal victory over defending champions Enyimba Int'l FC

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