Gold Cup Tourney: Cynosure shocks Lobi Stars

Nigeria’s representative in the CAF Champions League, Lobi Stars of Makurdi recorded their first defeat at the ongoing Gold Cup Tourney by losing 1-0 to ‘Giant-killers’ Cynosure FC at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure.

Lobi Stars, who dominated in the first quarter of the game should have scored in the  sixth minute of open play but Noojem Olukokun fluffed the chance.

They were rewarded with a penalty in 18th minute after a Cynosure defender handled the ball in the box from a cross.

Cynosure FC goalkeeper, Believe Imetie was at his best to deny Samad Kadiri his first goal in the pre-season tourney with a world class save.

In the second half, Coach Solomon Ogbiede-led team were given the blues by the Eboyin side as they scored their debut goal in the pre-season tourney with a superb 20 yard strike by Saviour Francis in the 55th minute.

Lobi Stars who had started the game with a strike partnership of Samad and Olukokun, were forced to introduce Sikiru Alimi, who scored the club’s first goal of this year’s edition of the tourney against FC Ebedei on Thursday.

Alimi’s introduction would have paid off for Lobi Stars but Cynosure had its goalkeeper and woodwork to thank as the NPFL side was denied twice from scoring an equalizing goal.

In the first game of the day, Remo Stars defeated Phoenix ACF with two first half goals scored by Kingsley Akemini and Adebogun Omotayo.

It took The Sky Blues Stars 16 minutes to record the first goal of the game after Akemini received a brilliant pass from Bolaji Michael to put the ball past Phoenix ACF goalkeeper.

Adebogun displayed his goal scoring qualities as he made no mistake from a set-piece bending the ball from 22 yards to bottom left corner of Phoenix goal.