A 85th minute header from skipper Odinga Odinga saved Sharks from
the hands of Lobi stars who came visiting Sharks in week 26 encounter of the Nigeria GLO Professional Football League in Port Harcourt.
A more composed and well prepared Lobi Stars proved a hard nut for Sharks to crack at home soil as all Sharks efforts to net the goals were frustrated by Lobi’s goalkeeper with his agility in goalpost.
It was Odinga who came attacking from the defence position to give Sharks her first goal in the 77th minute, but mentally prepared goalkeeper of Lobi Stars denied Odinga from netting Sharks first goal at that minute. A goal hungry furious Odinga was all out to see that Lobi Stars falls for Sharks, as he mesmerizes Lobi defence to frustrate Lobi Stars Odinga’s prayers and efforts were rewarded at the 85th minute of the second half as he redeemed the goal he missed in the 77th minutes of the game, when he capitalized on the effort of the combination of Christian Pyagbara and Tayo Fabiyi which created a loose ball in the air, with a quick strike, sending the spectators roaring for joy.
Though Lobi Stars were better in the encounter, Christian Pyagbara and Tayo Fabiyi should be commended for their pressure in the defence of Lobi Stars.
This is another straight win for coach Ogunbote Gbenga at home. Sharks now occupies the 9th position in the log. This looks good for Sharks to make the difference in the league if she could only maintain a winning streak for the remaining seven matches in the league.
Speaking to sports journalists, shortly after the encounter, Lobi Stars coach, Evans Ogeyi, said no team is safe as it is in the league table, the competition is open to any team to make the difference.
Advising sports journalists to be analytical in their reports, opining that the erring referees in the league should be punished so that football will grow in Nigeria.
Lobi Stars will file out against Enyimba Football Club of Aba this Wednesday in the Federation Cup Finals at Lagos State. According to him, his side is going to approach the encounter with every sense of seriousness.
Fans of Sharks are in a mind of watching continental matches, while praying for Sharks to win the remaining within.
Coach Ogunbote might be on the part of writing another history in the Nigeria league if he finally takes Sharks to the continental cup. ###
