10-man Rivers United lose five-goal thriller to Lobi Stars

NPFL 23: Lobi Stars 3-2 Rivers United

10-man Rivers United lose five-goal thriller to Lobi Stars

Jidechi Chidiezie 19:14 - 12.04.2023

The top-of-the-table clash was one that could have seen the defending champions return to first place in Group B.

Lobi Stars and Rivers United treated fans of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to a thrilling encounter on Wednesday evening as they played out a five-goal match at the New Jos Stadium.

The victory was a rescheduled outstanding Group B fixture for Rivers United, who had been busy with their CAF Confederation Cup engagments.

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Rivers United reduced to 10 men

The top-of-the-table Group B clash was one that could have seen the defending champions return to first place in the group as they trailed their hosts by just three points.

The first half, however, did not start in the way they would have envisioned, as they got reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute after goalkeeper Victor Sochima got sent off.

An immediate substitution by Stanley Eguma: second-choice Darlington Ovunda replacing Albert Korvah, was orchestrated to balance things for the visitors, but that was only enough to see off the first half.

Lobi Stars win top-of-the-table battle

The second half unlike the first, rained goals, starting with a 64th-minute freekick by Farouk Mohammed to give Rivers United the lead, but it did not last long as Umar Abba equalized only five minutes later.

https://youtu.be/UjYuvd57c5c

The hosts then took the lead in the 86th of the game with Wasiu Alalade finishing off John Lazarus' assist, but Rivers United were quick learners and responded just four minutes later through red-hot Nwagua Nyima.

It was, unfortunately, going to be a day that Rivers United would be willing to forget, as Lobi Stars struck one last time - in the sixth minute of added time - Elijah Ani, on the receiving end of another assist by Lazarus.

The win now sees the Makurdi club extend their lead at the top of Group B by six points, with only five matches left until the Super 6 playoff.

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