On Sunday, June 26, Lobi Stars defeated Dakkada in the MatchDay 35 match at the Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi thanks to a lone goal from Chinonso Okonkwo in the 11th minute.
For the second time in five days, Okonkwo scored the match-winning goal to give Lobi Stars two triumphs in a row. He limped out of the game after the goal because he was determined to risk injury to score for his team.
Dakkada demonstrated the fortitude of a beleaguered club as they gave it their all on the field, but they bravely lost to increase their relegation concerns.
Practically speaking, they didn’t deserve to be in the situation they were in based on their performance.
At the start of the play, Lobi Stars started looking for a goal. Okonkwo nearly gave his team the lead in the 10th minute with a 25-miter dead ball that was ultimately palmed for a corner kick.
A minute later, Lobi Stars’ persistent goal-scoring effort paid off when Okonkwo managed to score the game’s only goal despite being in a difficult shooting position after Duke Osimaga and Utim’s headed pass put him in that position. Okonkwo later hobbled off the field and was replaced by Ogba Ifeanyi in the 14th minute.
After the goal, the foursome of Edidiong Ezekiel, Emmanuel Ayaosi, Emmanuel Charles, and Isreal Emmanuel tormented the Lobi Stars for the rest of their lives. However, the “Shoe get Size” defense resisted, and Okiemute Odah occasionally made saves when the Uyo-based guys broke in.
While the visitors applied heavy pressure in response to the goal, the Glory to Glory players continued to create sporadic opportunities.
Ogba got a pass from Utim in the 34th minute, weaved between a group of defenders, and released Osimaga, but Osimaga’s well-placed effort went over the crossbar.
In the 36th minute, Barnabas Imenger’s perceptive withdrawal found Utim in the right place, giving Lobi Stars another chance, but Utim’s header was an inch too high.
Ezekiel nearly scored after Utim made a poor pass to him in the 45th minute, but goalkeeper Odah’s quick reflexes prevented it. The referee then called time on the first half.
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When play resumed, Adams Olamilekan, who replaced Imenger, received the ball and just had to beat the goalkeeper with his first touch, but he shot against the goalkeeper’s foot.
Gangling Utim and magic legs were replaced by Jonah Chukwudi and David Tyavkase.
In the 74th minute, Onuwa Chukwuka, a substitute, gave Lobi Stars a bit more bite, but Dakkada’s unyielding ambition rendered the efforts ineffective.
When rampaging Emmanuel Ayaosi burst through Lobi Stars’ defense in the 77th minute and was a step ahead and headed for goal in a corner kick, the visitors would have equalized had Samuel Ganda not been forced to stretch to the limit to strip the ball from his foot.
Adams Olamilekan nearly scored the second goal for Lobi Stars in the 90th minute when Dakkada made a defensive mistake, but Ekerette Udom’s extraordinary height prevented him from scoring.
At minute 90+1, the game was called by the referee.
With three games remaining in the season, Lobi Stars now comfortably hold the 12th spot on the log with 46 points from 35 games.
