Lobi Stars expectedly topped Group A after a narrow 2-1 victory over non-league side, 36 Lion in the last group game played Friday morning at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Onyeanuchi Onyeaka put the Pride of Benue at the driver’s seat in the ninth minute but Usor Moses equalised before halftime before returnee Barnabas Imenger Jr got a late winner for the 1999 league champions.
It was Lobi Stars that began with a strong footing in the game but 36 Lion defended vigorously in the early exchange of the game to ensure the Pride of Benue were not able to wreak any havoc in their vital area.
Lobi’s early dominance yielded fruit when Azeez Shobowale’s pass was connected home by Onyeaka in the ninth minute.
The early goal conceded by 36 Lion galvanised them to leave their comfort zone in search of the equalising goal and after missing some gilt edge chances, Moses drew the Lagos based club level three minutes before halftime and the scores stood at 1-1 as both teams went for recess.
36 Lion returned to their ultra defensive approach with occasional forays into attack through counter-attack for most part of the second half.
Lobi Stars were guilty of some near misses too until Imenger Jr put the game to bed for his team’s second goal with about 10 minutes to the end of the game. It was how the game ended.
The Eddy Dombraye led side led Group A with seven points from three games while Yobo FC picked the second semi-final ticket with four points. Undefeated Ottasolo FC ended in the third spot with three points while 36 Lion occupied the rear with a point from possible nine.
The Ottasolo Pre-season Tournament is sponsored by Otunba Gabriel Davies who is a business tycoon and owner of Ottasolo FC, a Nigeria National League side.
