Two goals by Ifeanyi Ogba ensured Lobi Stars tasted victory again in the Nigeria Professional Football League as they held on to a hard-fought 2-1 win over MFM on match-day 12 in Makurdi on Sunday.
The win was Lobi’s first in five games and Ogba, who has won three man-of-the-match prizes in three home games, spoke of his delight at how his team held on to claim the match points.
“I feel excited with the goals today (Sunday) and I want to thank my teammates and coaches for the motivation and encouragement. The last time I won this prize, we didn’t win the match but I’m happy today we did win and I promise to always do better,” Ogba told www.npfl.ng.
On setting a goals tally for himself this season, he said, “I don’t want to put myself under undue pressure but I’m positive that I can get 15 goals this season, I also want to appeal to the fans to be patient with us, we are a young and new team which I believe will get better as we play on”.
Substitute Oladayo Alabi’s late goal for the Olukoya Boys ended up as consolation after missing what could have earned his side a point in added minute.
Lobi Stars were the better side in the first half and had deservedly had their nose in front with Ogba ending Adams Olamilekan’s cross with a guided header inside nine minutes of the game. He had his second of the game, his fourth this season- on the stroke of half an hour with Olamilekan yet the provider.
He went close to recording a hat trick for Lobi with few minutes to end the first half but was denied by MFM keeper, Isaac Jerry.