October, 23 2023.
One of the stands-out results of Sunday's action of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was the masterclass in Lafia, where Lobi Stars of Makurdi comfortably despatched Abia Warriors of Umuahia 2-0, at their adopted home in Lafia.
The victory was courtesy of quickfire goals in the first half from Ahmadu Liman (15th minute), and Alao Danbani (25th minute), that sent fans at the Lafia Township Stadium, into a frenzy; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
Invariably, the victory was a befitting tribute to those slained on Friday by robbers who robbed banks and severely disturbed the town of Oturpko, leaving it with spilled blood, deaths and injury to many. For this the NPFL management, at the instance of the Benue State FA, postponed the encounter for 24 hours.
Aside this, and in a season where "away wins" have been very elusive; the only one so far being the 2-1 defeat of Bayelsa United in Yenagoa by Remo Stars - that's just one, after 39 games. Lobi Stars are now second on the NPFL log, with eight (8) points; just one point adrift of the leaders, Remo Stars of Ikenne, who climbed to the summit, after a comeback 2-1 win over promoted Sporting FC of Lagos.
Remarkably it was the first South West derby of the campaign, and Remo Stars inflicted on Sporting FC, their first defeat in the top flight; and that defeat left Lobi Stars as the only side with an unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season.
Having bottled a two-goal lead in their game, against promoted Heartland FC, at the Dan Ànyiam Stadium in Owerri; Lobi were back in Lafia to beat Sunshine Stars of Akure 3-2 on Day 2, before forcing another promoted outfit, Katsina United to a goalless draw at the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium, in the North West.
Up next for the Father Boys is a tricky encounter away to Rivers United, at the Adokieye Amasiamaka Stadium, in Port Harcourt.
The strong start to the season is been celebrated, given that their Technical Adviser, all through the pre-season, Bala Mohammed suddenly left the club over a disagreement with the club's hierarchy.
But the gaffer that stepped-in, Eugene Agagbe has no doubt done a very good job. Thanks to committed players like Kalu Orji, Sunday Chinedu , John Lazarus, Christian Madu, and Moses Tsesuen; he got the needed tonic to stabilize the team, and pursue its lofty goals of earning one of the continental tickets, in the league, this season.