The NPFL, Match Day 24 encounter between Abia Warriors and Lobi Stars was indeed a clash for the proud hearted, as The pride of Abia hosted The pride of Benue State.

Before the kick start day and time, stories flied the media space insinuating Lobi Stars might miss the the match, due to travelling financial hitches, and silence on their media handles as against their usual culture of timely updates.

Hours later, it was reported the Yes Father Boys had arrived Umuahia late hours and checked in.

No proper shake ups from the lads, and their mood showing total fatigue, hours to the match, it was announced that the chairman of the club who also doubles as the Deputy Governor of Benue State His Excellency Dr. Sam Ode in his motivating gestures, had pronounced and sent a whooping amount of one million naira to the club’s captain, to be given to the goal scorer, 500k per goal, a morale boosting gesture that played out in the later result.

The encounter between the prides remained an interesting encounter recording a 0- 0 Result at half time Break, the return of second half tensed up the game as the warriors were awarded a 70 minute penalty, perfectly converted by Omaka Fabian.

The pride of Benue turned on the pressure pushing and agitating for a goal, yet to no avail, on the 90th minute, Lobi Stars hoping opporturnity was denied as the referee waved play on to a penalty assumed foul.

95 minutes, and mid- season signing John Victor, converted the free kick, claiming a point for Lobi Stars, Crediting his account with 500k and returning one million+plus smiles on the faces of Benue fans.

With the result, Lobi Stars now goes top with 43 points.

Sam Ode’s motivation indeed returned one million smiles to the face of a million BENUE fans.

The lads have indeed proven more motivations will prompt more fascinating results.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan’s fine run of form continued on Sunday as the Oluyole Warriors secured a resounding 3-0 win over visiting Akwa United of Uyo.

The coach Gbenga Ogunbote tutored lads did not hide their intension to grab a comprehensive win in the Matchday 24 fixture, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, as they swooped on the visitors from the blast of the referee’s whistle.

It was a matter of time before the opener will come, with left back, Ehibe Victor firring the team to a 15th minute lead after being set up by Christian Pyagbara

Three minutes later, the goal provider, Pyagbara turned to a scorer himself as he nodded in Gideon Monday’s corner kick to double the Oluyole Warriors lead.

It would have been more before the end of the first half but none of further chances created could be converted, thus ending the half 2-0.

At the start of the second half, the coach Umar Abdullahi tutored Akwa United took the game to the hosts, but had al their efforts to reduce the tally thwarted by the solid defenceline of 3SC which gave goalkeeper Okemute Odah enough coverage.

In search of more goals, coach Ogunbote made some changes, introducing the duo of Daddy Abdulrahman and Lawal Abdullahi at the start of the second half and later Adams Agba’a Mustapha and Oke Kayode, while Ayodeji Bamidele came in in the last five of the 90 minutes.

Substitute, Abdullahi Lawal put an icing on the cake for the Oluyole Warriors in the 86th with a blistering free kick, which goalkeeper Jean Efala had no answer to, after Oke Kayode was fouled.

Shooting Stars have thus made it four consecutive games without a loss and have increased their points haul to 34 from 24 matches to move up on the ladder.

Sporting Lagos defeated Remo Stars 4-1 in a thrilling Nigeria Premier Football League match on Sunday. This was their revenge for a 2-1 loss to Remo Stars earlier in the season.

The hosts started the game brightly and it took just four minutes for them to get in front.

Junior Lokosa opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 5th minute. Paschal Durugbo doubled the lead in the 27th minute after a goalkeeping error by Remo Stars.

Remo Stars pulled one back through an own goal by Aliu Salawudeen in the 38th minute but Sporting Lagos restored their two-goal lead with a spectacular overhead kick by Philip Kehinde in the 48th minute.

Isaac Annor added another goal in the 60th minute to seal the win for Sporting Lagos. The win keeps their hopes alive of finishing in the top half of the table.

Tornadoes Achieve Double Over Bayelsa United, As Ikechukwu Nwani Strikes His Ikon Allah Boys’ First Goal Since His Mid-Season Transfer:

Ikechukwu Nwani’s 57th minute strike was all the Ikon Allah Boys needed to record an important and vital first away victory of the season.

It was an exciting opening exchanges by both teams at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa as Tornadoes searches for redemption after the home defeat to Rangers penultimate weekend, while the hosts looks to consolidate on a fine run of form.

The Coach Majin Mohammed’s side showed no any signs of seating back as they took the game to their hosts with an encouraging offensive approach.

No goal was however recorded in the first half as both teams retired to the changing room all square.

Second half kick started with the home team looking more determined to score but the Ikon Allah Boys curtailed all onslaughts.

Moments after, Derou Chima did a beautiful one-two pass with Clinton Jephta in a splendid attacking move, Chima locates Ikechukwu Nwani with a defense-splitting cut back pass and the latter who’s well positioned in the box perfectly slots home from a close range to put his team in front with 57th minute on the clock.

Tornadoes introduced Ifeanyi Okoye and Akintunde Azeez, withdrawing Ikenna Offor and Derou Chima in a tactical move that paid off as the team regains more strength in the middle and bite upfront.

The home team searched for an equaliser but on several occasions met a wall at the back, marshaled by Mohammed Hussaini and Silvester Bell’s partnership, while Joshua Enaholo was equally at his best and delivered some incredible saves.

The visitors were close to increasing the tally, but chances were fluffed by both Idris Saidu and Clinton Jephta.

The win is Tornadoes first on the road this season, a double over their hosts and moves them to 27 points, a place out of the red zone.