NPFL: Late Fatokun’s Header Spare Sunshine Stars Blushes Against Lobi Stars

Jide Fatokun scored a stoppage time header to salvage a point for Sunshine Stars in a pulsating Nigerian Professional Football League tie with Lobi Stars at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure on Sunday.

After a very tight opening 10 minutes Sunshine Stars started dominating the match day 19 contest, and were close to finding a breakthrough at the half hour mark through Dayo Ojo.

The midfield maestro got to the end of a Franklin Sasere’s ball from the near post but his effort could not just find a way in.

Ojo, Sasere and Sikiru Alimi continued to combine to a great effect and few minutes to the interval the synergy almost produce a goal when Sasere connected with an Alimi’s low ball, but his goal-ward effort was blocked to safety.

Just after the restart Ojo had a fierce volley from inside the area repeled by Lobi’s goalkeeper, Kayode Olufemi, however it was in the 49′ the hosts had the biggest chance at goal from a penalty.

Alimi who was presented with a dummy check for his match day 16 VAT Wonder Goal, was pulled down inside the 18 yards when moving through on goal, but was denied a perfect celebration for his payday by Olufemi, who guessed right to stop the striker’s spot kick.

And at the other end In the 63rd minute, goalkeeper Moses Ocheje brilliantly deny the league leaders by keping out a Samad Kadiri’s stunning header from close range.

Nevertheless the worst the home crowd feared happened in the 88 minute when Kadiri headed low into the right corner to gift Lobi Stars the lead against his former side.

Coach Henry Abiodun tutored Stars had a late rally, and barely into stoppage time Fatokun powered in a header from Abiodun Joseph’s cross to rescue the Akure Landlords from the jaw of defeat at home.

The result kept Sunshine Stars a place above the bottom four with 21 points ahead of another meeting with Lobi Stars in Markurdi on match day 20.