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Lobi Stars FC Makurdi Sunday at the Aper Aku stadium Makurdi ends the 4-match unbeaten run of Dakkada FC Uyo in the Matchday 5 of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season.

Dakkada’s Nnamdi Mejuobi took the kick-off at exactly 4PM with early  flashes of an ambitious team. Though unarguably the most difficult opponents of Lobi Stars in the 5 weeks old League, the story would have been different if the array of chances created by Lobi Stars were converted in to goals. The goal machine Ossy Martins was the biggest culprit of the goal missing galore.

The 15th minute free kick, masterfully converted by Mathias Samuel for the second time in the same manner this season when Dakkada’s 15 shirted defence ace Olawale Odeyeni brought down Chinonso Okonkwo didn’t break down Dakkada as they continue to grow from strength to strength with a never say die spirit and resilience as their hunt for a leveler Kindles.

The reverse fireworks of Lobi Stars forward trio of Ossy Martins, Chinonso Okonkwo and Zenke Thomas tormented Dakkada’s back 4 all through the first half. All the goal possible chances created by  Lobi Stars could not alter the result of the game till the Referee call for half time. Score line at half time stood as Lobi Stars 1-0 Dakkada.

Proceedings resumed this time with Lobi Stars Chinonso Okonkwo taking the kick off of the second stanza, Chinonso took advantage of a  50th minute defensive error from Dakkada but  found himself without support to aid a goal scoring possibility, he was compelled to tactfully delay for Zenke Thomas to join him as he released a forward pass down the right for a shot at goal which lacks power to beat Thomas Emekhudu.

Ossy Martins was badly brought down by Ubong Idio in the 54th minute but the resultant  free kick taken by Ebube Duru failed to get converted by the final recipient Douglas Achiv as goal keeper Emekhudu effortlessly picked up his shot at goal.

A yellow card was issued to Dakkada’s Ubong Williams for bringing down Douglas Achiv. The next minute saw Ebube Duru as he masterfully screened two opponents to find goal tasty Ossy Martins but his powerful strike at goal slightly missed his target.

Lobi Stars continued the strings of misses. Dakkada who despite their hard faced fight couldn’t get a successful shot at goal. Dakkada in a bid to spice up their attacking strength pulled out Emmanuel Charles for Kokoeje Udoh in 66th minute of the game.

A 71st minute controversial corner kick which put the centre referee and his second assistant  at variance incidentally resulted in an equalizer as Christian Ekong headed home  the corner kick taken by Ubong Williams for the much sought equalizer.

Lobi Stars intensified the pressure for a second goal  as they introduced Austin Ogunye in place of Douglas Achiv, but the goal missing galore wanned down hopes for a winner until the 90th minute penalty to Kabiru Dogo tutored lads as Chinonso Okonkwo was clearly brought down by Arinze Obuka in the penalty area. Austin Ogunye made no misteke as he sold a dummy to Goal keeper Thomas Emekhudu in the 90+2 for the winner as there was 2 minutes loss of time in course of Dakkada protesting the obvious penalty.

The game at that point was considered won and lost until the referee sounded his whistle for end of the game at 90+5 minutes.

with this win, Lobi Stars have further climb from 6th to 3rd on the log and will be guests to Rangers International in Enugu in match day 6 on the 24th January, 2021.