A late strike by Elijah Ani ensured Lobi Stars secured a 3-2 victory against Rivers United in Group B of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season on Wednesday, going six (6) points ahead of their second-placed rivals, at the New Jos Stadium in Jos, Plateau State.
Farouk Mohammed opened the scoring for Rivers United in the 64th minute. However, Abba Umar equalised for Lobi Stars five minutes later.
Lobi Stars then went ahead through Wasiu Alalade in the 86th minute before after a lovely piece of play to make the scores 2-1.
Rivers United’s Nyima Nwangwa then scored in the 90th minute as he looked to have rescued a point for the visitors. However, the hosts had another trick up its sleeves as the match went into stoppage time.
Just before the final whistle, Ani scored the third goal of the night for Lobi stars in spectacular fashion to secure all three points for his side as the matched finished 3-2.
The result now means Lobi Stars are six (6) points clear at the top of the NPFL Group B table, with 26 points from 13 matches. For Rivers United, they remain in second place with 20 points from 12 matches.
The Makurdi-based club will head into match day 14 looking to keep up the momentum as they look finish the season top of Group B.
