Solomon Kwambe scored a stoppage time free kick to earn Lobi Stars a 1-1 draw against Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Group A leaders Rangers International at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu on Wednesday.
Both Rangers and Lobi Stars represented Nigeria in continental competitions this season and the hosts are on a run of eleven domestic games without a defeat while Lobi Stars came into the game at the back of a hard earned 0-0 draw at MFM FC on Sunday.
After wasting countless scoring opportunities in the first half, Rangers went in front just after the hour mark when Godwin Aguda scored from the penalty spot after Ibrahim Ajani was upended inside the box by Kelly Kester.
With the hosts looking poised to run away with the win, Lobi Stars scored a shocking equaliser, captain of the team Kwambe curling home a brilliant free kick which went in off the underside of the cross bar.
The game witnessed the return to Enugu for Rangers striker Ifeanyi Egwim who made his first appearance at home for the first time since October 2, 2016 when he suffered a leg break on the day of Rangers’ coronation as league champions in the 2016 league season. He replaced former Super Eagles striker Michael Uchebo early in the second half for the hosts.
Rangers stay on top of Group A with 28 points and two games in hand, four ahead of second and third placed Enyimba and MFM respectively. Their next league game will see them welcome MFM FC to Enugu on Easter Sunday.
Lobi Stars remain six points behind Rangers and stay in fourth spot on the Group A log with 22 points from fifteen matches. They will host Enyimba at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi on Sunday.
