Lobi Stars’ unbeaten run in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was brought to a halt yesterday after they suffered a slim 0-1 loss at Rivers United in the week 5 match played at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium in Port-Harcourt.
Before yesterday’s match, the ‘Pride of Benue’ as Lobi Stars are called had won two and draw two matches to remain unbeaten in the 2023/2024 season.
They had won at home against Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors at their adopted home ground in Lafia and drawn away at Heartland and Katsina United.
However, Rivers United youngster, Alex Oyowah, scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute to destroy Lobi Stars enviable record.
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In another week 5 matche played yesterday, Katsina United fought back from an early agoal to beat Sunshine Stars 3-2 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
In-form striker Micheal Olulasi shocked the home fans with the opening goal in the 18th minute, Michael Okoro Ibe drew Katsina United level in the 45th minute but Olulasi restored the visitors’ lead in the second minute of first half added time.
On resumption, Striker Bello Lukman emerged as the hero for the ‘Chanji boys’ as he struck twice in the 49th and 62nd minute to hand his side the maximum points.
Elsewhere, it was a bad day for Doma United as they surrendered an early lead to lose 1-3 to 3SC in Ibadan. Nelson Abiam gave the ‘Savannah Tigers’ the lead in the 9th minute but the ‘Oluyole Warriors’ equalised from the spot in the 45th minute and scored two more goals in the 60th minute and second minute of second half added minutes to move to second position on the table.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United also rallied back to a 2-1 win over Kwara United after Robert Mizo scored a brace to erase Ayanrinade’s opening goal in the 9th minute.
And Abia Warriors squeezed past their neighbours, Heartland as they won 1-0 in the ‘Oriental derby’ played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers and 3SC have 10 points each but the ‘Flying Antelopes’ who smashed Kano Pillars 4-1 on Saturday are leading the table on superior goal difference.
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