5th April, 2013
Lobi Stars FC have crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup following a 7-1 loss to Liga Muculmana in the second leg of the game played in Maputo on Friday.
The Mozambican side made rubbish of Lobi’s 3-1 first leg lead to advance on an 8-4 aggregate after the two legs.
Reports from Maputo said Lobi went into the game with the hope of defending their lead, but the tie played under a 25°C was not good enough for the Makurdi club.
Lobi Stars goalkeeper John Lawrence was sent off for a reason best understood by the referee, and Ikenna Hillary was replaced for the second goalkeeper in the dramatic game.
The visitors however failed to live up to expectation, as they were distracted by the alleged poor officiating.
They now become the first Nigerian club to crash out of the continental championship this season. Lobi are due in Nigeria on Sunday morning.
Other Nigerian teams in the Confederation Cup are Heartland FC of Owerri who will be guests of US Bitam, while Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars and Rangers of Enugu will play AC Leopards (away) and Vital’O (home) respectively in the Champions League.