A horrendous goalkeeping error in stoppage time by Victor Sochima allowed Lobi Stars come from behind to nick a 2-1 win over Rivers United in the second Group B game of the Naija Super 8 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper spilled a low cross in between his legs which allowed striker Charles Chibuike fire into an empty net to give Lobi their first win of the tourney.
After a frenetic half an hour which saw chances created at both ends, Albert Korvah broke the deadlock for Rivers United in the 31st minute after his shot was deflected beyond the Lobi Stars goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh to hand the Pride of Rivers the advantage into the break.
Both sides sustained the pressure for more goals in the second half, but it was Lobi Stars who got the equaliser in the 71st minute through a half volley from one of their new additions, David Okoromi.
There were futile attempts from both sides to take the lead in the end-to-end game but while the seven minutes additional time was almost over, there was still enough time for the match winner as Chibuike was in the right place a the right time to punish Sochima’s error for his first goal in the colours of the Makurdi side.
The goal indeed silenced the Rivers United supporters, while the Lobi Stars fans found their voice after a 2-1 win.
Earlier, wildcard entrants, Akwa United also recorded a 2-1 win over a hard-fighting Yobe Desert Stars to get their campaign off to a perfect start.
Two first half goals from Chukwuebuka Anthony and Cyril Olisema handed Akwa United a comfortable two-goal lead into the break.
Immediately after the restart, Yobe Desert Stars goalkeeper, Isa Ismail, denied Cyril Olisema from making it three for the Promise Keepers from the penalty spot, before Emmanuel James halved the deficit with a sublime low freekick to make the scoreline 2-1.
Akwa United and Lobi Stars are now joint-top in Group B with three points and the same number of goals.
Actions return to Group A on Sunday (today), as leaders, Remo Stars take on Katsina United by 2 pm while Enyimba will hope to bounce back from their loss to Remo when they take on another wildcard entrant, Sporting Lagos by 4 pm.
