By CHIMEZIE ANASO

Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi on Sunday held Rangers International FC to a 1-1 draw in their Match Day 12 encounter in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

In the match at the Awka Township Stadium, the Flying Antelopes made series of attempts to go ahead of the visitors.

But the Makurdi-based side thwarted the hosts’ moves to end the first half goalless, and went ahead in the 57th minute through Elijah Ani.

Godwin Obaje restored parity for the home team in the 72nd minute.

Rangers FC’s coach, Abdul Maikaba, later said his team did well but failed to get the needed goals in the match.

“We have to blame ourselves for this result, because we created scoring chances in the first 45 minutes but failed to convert them.

“Lobi Stars created their first chance after the interval and converted it. But we faltered by scoring one goal out of the several chances we created in the match.

“I cannot say that we did not play well, we did. But we will keep fighting to ensure we solve the problem of not converting chances in matches,” Maikaba said.

He added that his team needed to get a win from their remaining away matches to consolidate their status in the league.

On his part, Lobi Stars’ Chief Coach, Baba Ganaru, said the result was good for them and that they still have their eyes on qualifying for the Super 6 competition.

“Rangers are a good side and I know Maikaba. His team play well, and that is why we came up with a game plan to stop them.

“We had to stop them from enjoying themselves. But we would have won if not for the players who lost concentration towards the end of the game,” he said.

Rangers are now seventh on the Group B table with 13 points while Lobi Stars are still topping with 20 points after 12 matches. (NAN)

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