Lobi Stars Come From Behind To Edge Past Sundowns in CAF Champions League Group Opener

CAFCL: Lobi Stars come from behind to edge past Sundowns in cathedral

By Abidoye Babatunde

Nigerian side Lobi Stars got the better of
Sundowns in the Champions League, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
Lobi Stars overcame Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League Group A match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Nigeria on Friday.

.
With the result, the Nigerian champions climbed to the top of the group standings following a stunning win over South Africa’s Sundowns . Though, Lobi Stars moved back to second position after Wydad Casablanca pummelled ASEC Mimosa 5-2 in their Group A opener.

The Brazilians looked dangerous in the opening stages of the encounter and they should have scored through Ricardo Nascimento.

The lanky defender connected well with Gaston Sirino’s header, but Lobi goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode pulled off a great save to deny him in the ninth minute.

The visitors kept pushing for the opening goal and they managed to break the deadlock following a quick counter-attack eight minutes after the hour-mark.

Uruguayan winger Sirino set-up Anthony Laffor, who scored with a tap in to make it 1-0 to Sundowns – scoring his second goal in as many matches.

However, the lead only lasted for seven minutes as Lobi scored through Yaya Kone,
who scored from the spot-kick to make it 1-1 after the hosts were awarded a penalty.
Sunday Adetunji had been fouled inside the Sundowns box by Nascimento and Egyptian referee Ghead Grisha pointed to the spot.

Lobi and Sundowns were locked at 1-1 at the interval in Enugu.

The Ortom Boys were the better side in the
opening stages of the second-half and they
managed to take the lead for the first time on the day.

Samuel Mathias fired home from inside the
Sundowns box to make it 2-1 to Lobi in the
52nd minute after sustained pressure on the Brazilians defence.

Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane the introduced speedy forward Phakamani
Mahlambi as the visitors looked to level
matters.

However, the Ortom Boys looked solid at the back in the closing stages of the encounter with the Brazilians struggling to create clear cut chances.

Ultimately, Lobi secured a 2-1 victory over the 2016 Champions League winners Sundowns on match-day one of Group A.