CAF Champions League: Lobi Stars Storm Group Stages

Nigeria Professional Football League champions Lobi Stars have qualified for the group stages of the CAF Champions League after a beating Kenya’s Gor Mahia by 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The match took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu State.

Lobi Stars progressed on the away goal rule despite losing 3-1 in the first leg in Nairobi last weekend.

In the first leg, Gor Mahia claimed the win though Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge and Samuel Onyango’s brace, while Mathias Martins netted the all-important away goal for Stars.

And this afternoon, Sikuru Alimi scored twice in the 72nd and 78th minutes, to condemn the visitors to a lonely 12-hour journey back home which begins Sunday morning.

Lobi Stars were quickly on the attack after a corner from Cletus Itodo allowed him to power down the flank to play in a low cross, but the danger was averted.

Gor were under attack as a corner for Stars found its way to Chile Izu who returned possession to Kone to load in a cross for Kelly Kester, but his header was mistimed.

Stars were then forced to defend after Gor managed to pick up openings inside their defensive lines, but strong defending from Solomon Kwambe kept them on course.

The visitors had the ball in the back of the net midway through the first half, but Humphrey Mieno saw his close-range effort chalked off for offside.

Despite Stars’ dominance in the final stages, they were unable to find a breakthrough before the halftime break.

Lobi eventually broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute as Sikuru Alimi slotted home from close range after his initial two efforts were blocked.

Five minutes later, they got the second goal that they were looking for through Alimi, who bagged the second of the day after he was set up by Yaya Kone.

K’Ogalo pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Stars held out to claim the win and a spot in the group stages.