Lobi Stars defeated reigning champions Rivers United 3-2 in the rescheduled Match Day 11 of the Nigeria Premier Football League on Wednesday at the New Jos Stadium in Plateau State.
Coach Stanley Eguma chose the same starting eleven that won a 0-0 draw against Niger Tornadoes in Kaduna on April 2 for a top-of-the-table showdown against Lobi Stars.
The Pride of Rivers had begun the game strongly, hoping to close the gap with Lobi, but that plan was derailed in the 26th minute when goalie Sochima Victor was sent off for ball handling outside the penalty box.
Despite having a numerical advantage, Lobi Stars were unable to score, and the first half finished 0-0 as Rivers United fought valiantly with 10 men.
Rivers United opened the scoring in the 65th minute, against all odds, with a stunning freekick from Farouk Mohamed.
That lead, however, was short-lived as Abba Umar equalized for the hosts in the 69th minute, and Lobi made it 2-1 in the 86th minute thanks to a goal from new acquisition, Wasiu Alalade, who scored his first goal for Lobi.
With the game looking to end in favour of Lobi, Nyima Nwangwa in the 90th minute drew level to make it 2-2 but not ready to share points, with two minutes into the extra time, Elijah Ani scored at the death for Lobi as the game ended 3-2 to open a six-point gap, though Rivers United have one more outstanding match.
