Lobi Stars survive holders Rivers United scare, inch closer to NPFL Super 6 playoffs

By Wale Mustapha

Lobi Stars had to wait till last minute of added time to salvage a needed 3-2 victory over 10 man Rivers United in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League Group B encounter in Jos on Wednesday.

The top-of-the-table fixture rescheduled due to Rivers United’s continental engagement and Lobi had a numerical advantage before the half hour mark when Rivers goalkeeper, Victor Soochima was sent off.

Lobi could not make good use of the strength in numbers throughout the remaining moments of the first half and the hosts kept asking same questions after the restart but the defending champions were resolute in defense.

Out blues, Rivers United took the lead with just three minutes past the hour mark when Faruk Mohammed scored from a well taken free kick at the edge of the box.

That may have sent some jitters to Lobi Stars as they were forced to respond quickly with the equalizer two minutes later when Abba Umar’s shot from outside the box beat substitute keeper, Ovunda.

The Pride of Benue club went ahead for the first time in the match in the 89th minutes when substitute Wasiu Alalade ghosted past Rivers’ defense to head home from close range.

The defending champions were ready to take no prisoners as they restored parity just a minute later when Anthony Ohaegbu tapped in from close range.

In a swift response, Lobi Stars left it late to score the winner through Elijah Ani whose flick header beat everyone including Ovunda to send the sizeable crowd at the New Jos Stadium to wild jubilation.

The victory saw Rivers moved farther away at the top of Group B with 26 points from 13 games, six ahead of Rivers United who still have a game at hand.

Both sides will return to normal fixtures on Sunday with Lobi Stars playing guest to Bayelsa United in Yenagoa while Rivers United be taking on Dakkada in Port Harcourt.