Nasarawa United failed to sustain their solid first half play to lose 2-1 to Lobi Stars with Godfrey Utim netting the match winner in Makurdi.
Coach to the Solid Miners, Bala Nkiyu was angry with his side’s sloppy outing in the second half, after an intense first half play and blamed the players for giving away cheap goals.
Nkiyu praised Lobi Stars, a side he said showed more hunger for goals than his team.
“We held our opponents in the first half with good intensity but in the second half, we gave away cheap goals that gave the hungry team the three points. I believe they were hungrier than us in the second half of the game”, Nkiyu told www npfl.ng after the encounter.
“We will regroup for another top match against Plateau United in Jos”, the coach concluded.
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Nasarawa United started the game with greater possession but were unable to create any big chance while Lobi Stars grew gradually into the game.
Sa’id Mubarak was the first to threaten as he beat Nduka Chidera before unleashing a stinger which narrowly missed target.
On the Lobi side, Onuwa Chukwuka rattled the cross bar after a sweet team move ended at the player’s feet.
On resumption Lobi Stars continued to press as Ifeanyi Ogba finished off a smart move initiated by Onuwa Chukwuka to hand the home team the opener on the 50th minute.
Baba Ganaru chose to bring on the duo of Monday Akile and Godfrey Utim as both players instantly combined to set up Ogba but Sunday Okoh was quick to react to deny Ifeanyi Ogba a second.
Lobi Stars continued with their domination and on the stroke of 82nd minutes Godfrey Utim benefitted from a miscommunication between Ini Edem and Sunday Okoh to increase the tally for the home side.
Three minutes into added time the referee pointed to the spot after Moses Tsehuan apprehended goal bound Adamu Hassan.
Micheal Tochukwu stepped up to send Aliko Mustapha the wrong way to reduce the deficit for Nasarawa United, a goal that came a little too late as Lobi Stars picked all the points on deck. The match ended 2-0 in favour of Lobi Stars.