Lobi Stars returns to Makurdi in style, defeat Doma United
By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Lobi Stars football club of Makurdi, playing home for the first time in over three seasons, and under intense pressure, brushed aside a stiff oppositions from Doma United to claim all three points in the fight for supremacy of their conference Group C encounter at the MacCarthy Mini Stadium in Makurdi on Saturday.
A 16th minute jab off Skipper Abubakar Abdullahi (8) procured a first half lead to the Group C table toppers whose plan was to humiliate the Stars in their backyard.
Lobi's equalizer in the 42nd minutes through a delicious toeing that left Doma keeper looking askance, and a 80th minute world class spot kick just outside the 18 metre box by Kumaga Suur to ended the encounter with all three points in the kitty for the Makurdi side.
Lobi Stars began the prosecution of the match on a cautious note allowing the visitor's point men to come out of their shells. Doma United who came into the match from a 2-0 home win in Gombe last week wasted no time. A Roberto Carlos-like low drive at the periphery of Lobi Stars' 18 metre box by Skipper Abubakar Abdullahi (8) had keeper Atsaka diving full stretch to parry the powerful shot into touch for a coner kick for the visitors.
The Stars took note but were yet to Marshal adequate men to police Abubakar when he stroke. A lift into Lobi's 18 metre box by Kennedy (24) found Abubakar charging through the air with a jab to the far upper net that momentarily shattered the home boys.
Doma United's pressures on Lobi Stars subsequently met with strong defense adamance. That allowed the Stars attacking trio of Okoh Chukwuma (19), Azeez Tijani (15) Kumaga Suur (10) to strategized. They began placing low balls and running rings around the tall and strong Doma defenders.
The strategy paid off handsomely when in the 44th, Kumaga (10) located Azeez Tijani (15) in Doma's vital area with a low pass that successfully passed through the forest of defenders legs. In sharp reflexes, Tijani directionally controlled the ball with the left foot placing it within reasonable range for the right foot to toe it into the net for the equalizer. The MacCarthy Mini Stadium went wide with jubilation.
On resumption from the break, Lobi Stars came back playing more purposefully. Benjamin Agugu (40) who replaced Okoh Chukwuma (19) brought vitality to Lobi's right flank. His capacity to dribble through two or three defenders and place the ball in Doma United's box created anxiety in the opponent's defense. Jimmy Iteji (6), Noah Peters (22) and Owoku Bidemi (25) found their rhythm in the mid-field and began accurate feeding of their attackers up front. The visitors capitulated under the sustained pressure which resulted in their resort to physicality.
A Lobi Stars' player was brought down on the edge of the 18 yards box with referee right on the spot. The resultant kick by Kumaga Suur (10) got behind the net for the winner before Doma United's keeper knew what actually happened.
Speaking to Sports Writers after the match, Mr. Terver Ikya, Chairman Lobi Stars football club said, "the victory is a luscious and delightful thing that has happened to the club".
"The boys played under intense pressure having been away from home for 4 years. There was anxiety and the fear of losing their first match at home. They will get better as they settle to the reality of playing their home matches where they know that is truly home, the love and support they can get only from home. Our loads of thanks to the Governor, HE. Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia who made this possible", Mr. Ikya said.
Visibly thrilled by the victory, Coach John Onu who told Sports Writers that the boys will get better with each match said, "we are happy to be home again after a long absence from our supporters. Where we noticed some weaknesses, we will strengthen to ensure better outings".
