Lobi Stars shared points in a late kickoff tie with League title holders Rivers United following a goalless draw on match day 3 played at the ongoing NPFL Super 6 playoff played at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos State.
Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru rotated his squad to find the back of the net, having failed to score in two consecutive games and again to keep the opposing defensive line under pressure to exploit their weaknesses.
Elijah Ani and Felix Terver were called to start ahead of Suur Kumaga and Wasiu Alalade, where the duo would utilise their physicality in Lobi’s favour.
After putting aside the match day 2 setback against Enyimba International Football Club, the Makurdi-based side approached the tie against Coach Stanley Eguma’s men with the needed urge knowing fully well that a positive result after regulation time will play a crucial role as the race for the continental ticket tightens.
Youngster Felix Terver would have put the Stars ahead less than 4 minutes into the contest, but Rivers goalie Victor Sochima was lucky to have his hand on the ball to keep the scoreline 0-0.
Joseph Atule who has been so enterprising since the commencement of the playoff, came close with Ani to breaking the deadlock but all proved abortive.
Morrice Chukwu’s long-range effort was denied by Lobi’s goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel who was in the goalpost for the first time since the start of the playoff. Both sides were on each other’s neck in ay tactical game that saw only a few chances going into the break.
Both teams returned to the pitch for 45 minutes and the fierce contest between the two NPFL giants continued. Atule thought he broke the deadlock with a well-taken free-kick only to be saved by goalkeeper Sochima.
Monday Akile who displayed some good defending against United Winger, Mark Gibson, saw his free kick go slightly above the crossbar as time tick down. United Albert Korvah spurned a chance when he jabbed the ball off the target, Lobi Stars’ defence line displayed a class art performance as they worked collectively to keep their opponent at bay.
The Shoe Get Size boys kept knocking with an offensive play, after Baba Ganaru pulled off Ani and Terver for Godfrey Utim and Chinonso Okonkwo, however, all efforts proved abortive upon full-time.
With final scores of 0-0, Lobi Stars have secured 2 points from 3 games. The Makurdi-based side will be up against Remo Stars on Friday evening.