Lobi Stars ended Rangers International’s three-match unbeaten run on Thursday, after defeating the Flying Antelopes 2-1 in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday six encounter at the Lafia City Stadium.
Lobi Stars’ midfielder Alao Danbani was left unmarked and scored the opener on 23 minutes from a Solomon Kwambe’s well-taken corner kick to send the fans into wild jubilation.
On the 34th minute, Rangers forward Godwin Obaje thought he had equalised for his side as he reacted the quickest to stab home a rebound after Lucky Abdullahi failed to deal with a Chidiebere Nwobodo’ fierce shot, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Chidiebere Nwobodo restored parity for the visitors at the hour mark after he was set up by Isaac Saviour.
With just eight minutes to the end of the encounter, substitute, Stanley Ogabor scored what turned out to be the match winner as he jabbed home a Monday Akile’ inch-perfect cross to give the Makurdi-based club a 2-1 victory which moved them to second spot in the standings with 11 points, just a point behind table-toppers, Remo Stars.
Head coach of Rangers International, Fidelis Ilechukwu, described the encounter as a great celebration for the Nigerian league, stressing,
“It was a very good game that we could have come out with at least a point. Our opponent showed top quality to contain us. We have to go back and prepare for our next game and give it all we have to ensure that our supporters smile at the end of the match.”
Also speaking, coach Eugene Agagbe of Lobi Stars, said, “I have to thank and congratulate my players for making it happen for us against a quality side like Rangers. They gave us a very good match but for the tactics deployed to contain them from the bench, it would have been a different song we are singing now.”
Rangers will at the weekend, trade tackles with Oriental neighbors, Heartland in a Matchday 7 fixture at the Awka City Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2023, while Lobi Stars will be guest to Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Monday November 6, 2023.
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