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By: Abiodun Adewale
One-time Nigerian league champions Lobi Stars go into the second half of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League on top of the table, thanks to their 1-0 win over Plateau United at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Kumaga Suur’s 23rd minute goal was enough for Eugene Agagbe’s side to cement the win against their hard-fighting opponents, who have been in resurgent form recently.
Lobi Stars’ only league title was won in 1999, and the closest they have been to claiming the title again was in 2018, when they only benefited a spot on the continent, no thanks to the disruption of the league after match-day 24.
This season, they have been impressive, winning 11 matches, drawing three, losing five and gaining 36 points in the process, one point ahead of second-placed Remo Stars.
The Makurdi side will resume their push for a first title since 1999 against Plateau United in Jos on match-day 20.
In other match-day 19 games, Remo Stars kept up the pressure on top of the table with a 2-1 win over Abia Warriors in Ikenne, while champions Enyimba also shot their title contention back to life with a 2-1 win away at 3SC.
After a goalless first half in Ibadan, the People’s Elephant led through Chijioke Mbaoma’s penalty.
Kareem Ademola equalised for the hosts late on but Chibueze Izuogu netted the winner with a long-range strike in added time.
In Kano, Suleman Idris and Rabiu Ali were on target as the former champions condemned Heartland to the bottom of the table with a 2-1 defeat, just as relegation threatened Gombe United and Bayelsa United settled for a 1-1 draw at the Pantami Stadium.
Akwa United also beat Enugu Rangers 1-0 to record two consecutive home wins for the first time this season, while Katsina United held Niger Tornadoes to a goalless draw in Kaduna.