By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
After four years, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi has played its first home match in the Benue State capital, defeating Doma Utd 2-1 in the Nigeria National League ( NNL).
During the match which was played at the McCarthy Stadium, Makurdi, the visiting team, which was topping Group C, scored in the 14th minute when their skipper Abdullahi Abubakar capitalized on a missed header by Lobi captain Kwambe Solomon to chip the ball past keeper Daniel Atsaka.
Lobi Stars thereafter battled back and equalized before half time through Azeez Tijani.
In the second half, Lobi, otherwise known as the Alia boys, put in more effort, creating several chances but only succeeded in 80th minute when Suur Kumaga scored the second goal.
Addressing sportswriters at the end of the match, Lobi Stars Chairman Terver Ikya, who appreciated the performance of the players and subsequent victory, stated that he was happy for the club which for four years did not play any home match in Makurdi.
The Chairman said: “I give glory to God and the Governor for the support.”
According to Ikya, the players were under pressure as they desired to impress their fans by winning, adding that “we will use this game to correct our mistakes. We will not be under this pressure anymore in subsequent games.”
Head coach of Lobi, John Onuh, who also spoke, appreciated his players but lamented that they failed to convert several scoring chances.
Onuh said he did not panic when the visitors took the lead, saying he believed his side would win in the end.
“I had every confidence that we would equalize and win the game because we did the attacking. So I knew that the chances would definitely come,” he said.
