Lobi Stars subdue Dakkada 2-1 to remain Group B leaders

…As Wikki Tourists force Abia Warriors to 1-1 draw   Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) Group B leaders, Lobi Stars of Makurdi have retained their top position after defeating hard-fighting Dakkada FC 2-1 in the Week 7 match played yesterday at their adopted home ground, the New Jos Township stadium. The victory brought to five the […]

• …As Wikki Tourists force Abia Warriors to 1-1 draw

 

Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) Group B leaders, Lobi Stars of Makurdi have retained their top position after defeating hard-fighting Dakkada FC 2-1 in the Week 7 match played yesterday at their adopted home ground, the New Jos Township stadium.

The victory brought to five the matches Lobi Stars have won so far in the 2023 NPFL abridged league season. After their opening day loss at defending champions, Rivers United, Lobi Stars have not suffered any defeat again.

As usual, diminutive Joseph Atule was the hero for Lobi Stars as he scored one goal and assisted the second as the ‘Pride of Benue’ battled to the 2-1 in over Dakkada.

The former Katsina United man gave Lobi Stars the lead in the 9th minute after he outsmarted the opposing goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation, he turned a villain after missing from the spot in the  23rd minute but provided the assist for Kumaga Suur to score the second in the 47th minute before former junior international, John Lazarus reduced the deficit with an own goal in the 53rd minute for a nervy finish for the 1999 champions.

Elsewhere, Bendel Insurance surrendered a two-goal lead in Ibadan as 3SC fought back to draw 2-2 with the Group A table toppers. Imade Osehenkhoe and Ismael Seriki put Insurance ahead in the first half but on resumption, Malomo Taofeek Ayodeji and Olufemi Opeoluwa scored a goal each for the host to deny Insurance another away win.

In the early kick-off in Umuahia, Wikki Tourists forced Abia Warriors to a 1-1 draw after Abdulsalam Abdulsalam got the equaliser with three minutes to regulation time. John Peter had given the hosts the lead in the 28th minute.

The Group A fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and Akwa United in Maiduguri also ended in a 1-1 draw. Former Enyimba man, Cyril Olisema, gave the visitors the lead in the 45th minute but Junior Aganaza’s 87th minute goal saved the hosts from another home defeat.

Plateau United also forced Group A runners-up, Remo Stars to a 1-1 draw in Ikenne, Ekerette Udom and Samson Olapuso scored a goal each in the 12th and 30th minute as Sunshine Stars beat Niger Tornadoes 2-0 in Akure while Chidera Ezeh’s goal from the spot in the 38th minute was enough for Rangers to defeat Doma United 1-0 at Awka City stadium.