A brace from Samuel Tiza helped Lobi Stars run riot in Yenagoa as the Makurdi-based stunned Bayelsa United 1-2 to secure its first away win to go top of the league table.
Coach Eugene Agagbe’s men entered into the encounter with a high level of motivation from the victory over Rangers International on matchday 6 to attack the Yenagoa-based side with the needed intent.
It was Samuel Tiza who stepped up on the big occasion to break the deadlock in the 29th minute during the run of play when the former Kwara United man received a split pass from Danbani Alao in a crowded area deep into the opponent’s half with a terrific curve that beat Bayelsa goalie Kelvin Ogunga and rested into the net to change the score line to 0-1.
The celebration from the camp of the Yes Father Boys was cut short 3 minutes to the end of the first stanza when NPFL top scorer, Robert Mizo jumped taller in the box and nodded in a sublime cross from substitute Eyong Effem, changing the scoreline to 1-1 going into the break.
The last stanza of the encounter witnessed a lot of dramatic activities as both teams saw end-to-end attacks saved by both sides’ goalkeepers as the contest grew into a tense atmosphere.
Just as the game appeared to be meandering towards a share of the spoils in Yenagoa, a moment of magic decided the destination of the three points when Tiza capitalized on a brave pass from Stanley Ogabor to complete his brace of the day when he intelligently slot the ball beyond the rushing goalkeeper Ogunga in the 67th minute to spark wide jubilation from the visitor’s bench as the scoreline changed to 1-2.
The final minutes of the entertaining tie saw resolute defending from the Shoe Gets Size Boys, led by Moses Tsehuan and his associates ensuring the lead was preserved till the final whistle.
This important result has taken the former NPFL champions to go first on the league table with 14 points from seven games.
Head Coach Eugene Agagbe in his post-match interview said he was grateful for the victory, and thanked his boys for putting up a good fight.
“I thank God for the result, I thank my players for their character displayed and for playing under instruction. When a player plays under instruction is bound to victory as we have gotten today” he maintained.
Coach Agagbe maintained further that he was excited getting his first away victory hence it is what he has been looking for.
Lobi Stars will host Sporting Lagos in Lafia on matchday 8 this weekend.
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