An own goal in the ninth minute by Moses Bunde was the difference between host FC Ifeanyiubah and visitors Lobi Stars of Makurdi in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture played at the FC Ifeanyiubah Stadium, Nnewi on Wednesday.
The hosts started brightly and were all over their opponents in the opening minutes with series of attacks in the opponents vital area.
Lobi's goalkeeper Okiemute Odah was very busy in the office making three saves in the first 12 minutes as he came out with daring saves denying Bright Onyedikachi, Seka Pascal and Kofi Nti.
The outstanding Odah on the day could however do nothing about the goal his team conceded as a well executed cross from the right by Brazilian Alberico Da Silva who was exceptionally lively in the first half was bundled in by his teammate, Bunde.
The away side struggled all through the game trying hard to create something positive to no avail as the defence led by captain and former junior international, Chibuzor Okonkwo, were very resolute and uncompromising at the back.
Lobi gaffer, Godwin Uwua made changes to his side bringing on another veteran striker David Tyavkase to steal something from the game but the homers were intrepid in rebuffing all attempts by the visiting side from equalizing.
FC Ifeanyiubah thus put a dent to the run of Lobi and next square up in an oriental derby against defending champions Enyimba this Sunday at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
FC Ifeanyiubah: Nwakamma Edwin 1; Wilson Elu 30, Onyekachi Akakem 5, Okonkwo Chibuzor 20, Agudosi Arinze 3 (Ikechukwu Mbaonu 23) 66', Alberico Da Silva 27, Henry Okebuogwu 6, Luamba Ngoma 34, Bright Onyedikachi 11, Nti Kofi 9 (Mohammed Suleiman 18) 61', Pascal Seka 26 (Maduabuchi Okereke 7) 80'
Unused subs: Olaide Okanlawon 22, Ikechukwu Mbaonu 23, Cyril Edum 32, Oluchukwu Nwosu 10, Martins Ossy 14
Coach: Mitko Dobrev
Lobi Stars: Okiemute Odah 30; Moses Bunde 2, Nasiru Shehu 31 (Gwaza Iorliam 12) 16', Samuel Olabisi 35 (Kone Yaya Soumaila 7) 54', Anthony Agbaji 5, Dennis Nya 6, Sunday Akleche 28, Emmanuel Ajia 8, Kingsley Eduwo 9, Raphael Ayagwa 13, Abdulwaheed Afolabi 32 (David Tyavkase 20) 87'
Unused subs: John Lawrence 16, John Aguda 26, Idakwo Eche 25, Iyorhe Luter 33
Coach: Godwin Uwua
Stats Fouls: 19-24 Shots: 9-5 On target: 5-3 Corners: 4-3 Offside: 2-7
Man of the Match: Alberico Da Silva