By Adams Jesse
Lobi Stars claimed the bragging rights in the North Central Derby against Plateau United with a Suur Kumaga’s lone strike at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday.
Lobi Stars came into the Matchday 19 fixture top of the table and a win against Plateau United will ensure they ended the first half of the season at the number one spot.
Lobi Stars began the game in control of possession in the early moments but none of their attacking moves yielded any positive until Kumaga capitalized on John Amah’s howler to stab home John Lazarus’ cross on 23 minutes.
Plateau United dominated for larger spells of the game but Lucky Abdullahi was on hand to deny the trio of Muhammad Umar, Uche Onwuasoanya and Nenrot Silas on different occasions from scoring.
Reacting after the game, man of the match, Lucky Abdullahi dedicated the award to his wife and believes his team have what it takes to win the league.
“First of all, I’ll live to dedicate this win to my wife as I prayed before the game that I want to end the game with a clean sheet.
“It was not easy but at last we got the points and the clean sheet,” the Lobi Stars goalkeeper said.
On the team’s target, he disclosed that Lobi Stars want to win the league.
Lobi Stars head coach Eugene Agagbe however believes that his boys were fatigued despite winning but promised that his team will continue to work hard to grind out positive results.
“It has been a very good season for us having top the table at the end of the first stanza. It wasn’t easy but I’ll give credit to players for their dedication to the team.
“It has not been easy especially travelling by road in Nigeria to honour league games but it is all good as we will fight till the end,” he concluded. Lobi Stars will begin the second half of the season with a visit to Jos where Plateau United will play hosts to them.