It was a day to forget for Abia Warriors as they surrendered their advantage to lose 3-1 in Lafia against Lobi Stars in one of Saturday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures.
The 3-1 defeat means that Abia Warriors have now failed to beat the Makurdi side in their last five league meetings.
The first half ended in a scoreless draw, and two goals plus an own goal decided the fate of the Umuahia side in the match that looked promising for them having drawn the first blood in the second half.
Abia Warriors head coach, Imama Amapakabo made three changes to the side that lost at home against Heartland FC, handing Yakubu Hammed and Samuel Atavti their first starts of the campaign, while Emmanuel Ogbuagu returned to partner with Collins Nwoburuoke in defence.
The first period was a cagey affair but the hosts enjoyed more of the ball possession that was not enough to breach the Warriors defence line.
Goalless it ended in the first period, and the second stanza witnessed some urgency on the path of the hosts, as they attacked in their numbers in search of goals.
On the other hand, the Warriors gradually came into the game, and a good spell from them resulted in a through pass from Yakub Hammed to Sunday Megwo who rounded the Lobi goalkeeper to score his fifth goal of the campaign in the 56th minute of play.
The visitors failed to keep hold of their lead and a cross from Lobi Stars midfielder, Assurance Ifeanyi was headed home by the unmarked Segun Oloruntoba in the 61st minute.
Lobi Stars continued to push for a second goal, and they were rewarded when an unfortunate own goal from Abia Warriors defender Collins Nwoburuoke off a cross yet again from Ifeanyi Assurance handed them the advantage.
As Abia Warriors went in search of the equalizer, they were undone by a 90th minute goal off a counter-attack by Oloruntoba to make it 3-1 and hand Abia Warriors a second successive defeat.
Next for the Warriors is the Abia Classico against Enyimba International of Abia at the Umuahia Township Stadium while Lobi Stars will make the trip to Ijebu-Ode to face Sunshine Stars in a Matchday 12 game.
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