By; Ilekam Ikechukwu (Mr Flakes)
It was a good character shown by visiting Lobi Stars Football club of makurdi in umuahia on a matchday 3 duel against hosts Abia Warriors FC with the visitors walking away with the maximum points against all odds, thanks to a Kumaga Suur’s second half header even as the brilliance of Central defender Chinedu Sunday proved crucial for the makurdi based outfit.
The towering Centre back was impressive at the back, having paired with homeboy Moses Tsehuan, Lobi Stars’ backing remained resolute and strong all through.
The surge from the hosts came early in the 6th minute with left back Ozioma Goodluck delivering a goal bound inswinger as Chinedu Sunday expertly showed up with a headed clearance, a close opportunity for the warriors to have taken the lead.
The Central defender had to pocket Bello Lukman who has been in the form of his life the warriors, going one on one with the gangling striker in the 11th and 15th minute in quick succession to block a goalbound Bello Lukman’s couple of shots.
The second half resumed with intensified fireworks after a barren first half, as the hosts sought for an opener at all cost, the pressure mounted by Bello Lukman was well curtailed by the central defender at intervals, which literally kept the striker out of the game.
Coach Erasmus Onuh rang some couple of alterations in the aftermath of Lobi Stars taking the lead through a Kumaga Suur’s close range header off a Jospeph Atule inch perfect delivery, with speedy winger Mustapha Jibreel causing concerns down the flanks but Chinedu Sunday intelligently won a contention in the closing stages of the encounter having scuttled a quick counter attacking football off the legs of Mustapha, a scenario that would have levelled matters for the hosts.
The Central defender having missed out on the matchday 2 narrow victory against Rangers no thanks to his accumulated yellow cards in Port-Harcourt against Defending champions Rivers United, his return against Abia Warriors proved the catalyst to a secured victory for the pride of benue in a match the erstwhile Kano Pillars Central defender showed class in all his contentions with opposition players.
The days ahead speaks of possibilities at the back for Lobi Stars in an abridged league season where a final super 6 slot seems to be the holy grail all 20 contending teams are jostling for, the presence of Chinedu Sunday underlines their ambitions.