From Chiangi Avese, who was in Lafia
5 goals in the second 45 minutes of Nigeria’s Premiership Football League match day 2 between Lobi Stars football club of Makurdi and visiting Sunshine Stars from Akure, tells the story of heated rivalry between the teams.
The Akure side came to Lafia with a load of pride haven won their home match last week and 3 points in their kitty. In their last 4 meetings, Sunshine Stars triumphed twice and had a draw over Lobi Stars’ one win. From that position, the Akure stars hoped to fracture the Lobi stars’ dignity in their new home.
Lobi stars who have had the misfortune of starting two straight league seasons away from the main bowl of Aper sports complex, their traditional home, were in Lafia to establish an authority in a municipality that promised them support.
Buses and truckloads of arriving supporters from Makurdi gave an indication of how much the team was missed. The Nssarawa state government had given Lobi stars a rousing welcome and promise of huge support.
The match began with the traditional cautiousness as the teams sized up each other. Occasional in-deep ball long trust into opponents halves created anxious moments. The defenses looked good for either team’s attacking onslaught.
Total good football was been played, keeping supporters at the edge of their seats as the minutes ebbed out of the first 45 minutes. Lobi stars lead striker Samuel Tiza (11) had Sunshine keeper, Mustapha Lawal (21) to contend with. The first stanza ended goalless.
Changes were effected at the resumption by both sides, and with it, more bites was added to the attacking departments and some fractions of the defenses.
A renewed energy brought about a sustained incursion by Lobi stars into the territory of the Akure side. Keeper Mustapha Lawal (21) capitulated to the onslaught on his defenders, resulting to a loose ball. Lurking Samuel Tiza made Sunshine pay for it with a strike that gave Lobi stars the curtain raiser in the 53rd. minute.
The second goal came in the 70th minute when an inflight Mohammed Rabiu (4) delivered a luxurious pullout which found the head of Samuel Tiza who planted it into the net. But Sunshine defender, Taiwo Abdulrafiu (3), taking a very measured spot kick in the 79th, the result of an infringement, gave his side hope and reduced the confidence of the home side.
The two teams continued in their probe of each other. However, substitute Ajibola Adeleke (18) took away the hopes from the Akure side when he thundered in the third for Lobi stars in 85th minute, while Michael Olalusi (26) scored the second for Sunshine in the extra time. Full time, Lobi stars 3- Sunshine stars 2.
