Lobi Stars Secure Vital 1-0 Win Over Plateau United in Lafia Derby

Lobi Stars claimed a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Plateau United in a thrilling derby encounter at the Lafia City Stadium, thanks to a second-half strike from Waheed Adebayo. The win, which earned Lobi Stars significant bragging rights, was made even more impressive by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Daniel Emmanuel and resilient defending throughout the match.

The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to find the back of the net. Plateau United were first to test the waters, but Lobi Stars goalkeeper Daniel Emmanuel made a series of crucial saves early in the match. Emmanuel’s sharp reflexes kept out efforts from Mafeng Pam and Michael Ibeh, both of whom were denied by the keeper's quick reactions.

Lobi Stars, under the guidance of Coach Daniel Amokachi, responded with several attacking moves of their own. However, Plateau United’s goalkeeper, Emeka Nwabula, stood firm, denying John Lazarus's close-range attempts and keeping out two subsequent follow-up shots from Liman Ahmadu and Segun Oloruntoba. Despite the pressure, Nwabula managed to keep the scoreline level as both sides headed toward halftime.

The breakthrough came in the 45th minute, just before the interval. Segun Oloruntoba, showing great skill and composure, danced past defenders and laid off a perfectly timed pass to Waheed Adebayo, who made no mistake in converting from close range. The goal gave Lobi Stars a 1-0 lead, which they would hold onto through the second half.

Plateau United came out with renewed energy in the second half, determined to get back into the game. However, Lobi Stars’ defence, led by the composed and disciplined backline, kept them at bay. Despite several attempts, including a dangerous header from substitute Joshua Agboola, Plateau United could not find the equalizer, and Lobi Stars successfully saw the game out.

The victory lifts Lobi Stars to 15th place on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table with 19 points from 17 games. The three points were crucial for Coach Amokachi's side, who have endured a challenging season so far.

In his post-match comments, Coach Mika Lönnström praised his team's defensive performance and overall play. "The team played good football with solid defending," Lönnström said. "The first half was fantastic, and we showed great character to hold on to the lead. These three points are very important for us."

Lobi Stars will now shift their focus to their next challenge, as they travel to Benin to face Insurance FC of Benin on matchday 18. With their confidence boosted by this derby win, the team will be hopeful of building on this momentum in the coming fixtures.