Striker Sikiru Alimi scored a brace to help Nigerian side Lobi Stars to a 2-0 win over Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in their final group game of the 2018/19 CAF Champions League on Saturday evening.
Although the victory proved inconsequential as both teams failed to progress from the group stage, Lobi Stars were able to bow out on a high with the win at their adopted home ground for continental fixtures – the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu.
Alimi gave his side the lead after just two minutes on the clock when he tapped home a cross shot by Samuel Mathias, his first goal in three group stage games. The Ivorians took absolute control of the game soon after Alimi’s goal but could not breach Lobi’s defence led by captain Solomon Kwambe.
The former Sunshine Stars forward however doubled his team’s lead with another tap in, even if it was a miscuesd effort following another cut back by Mathias. The 39th minute goal was his fifth goal in six Champions League games this season.
Lobi Stars almost added a third goal late on through substitute Yaya Kone. The Ivorian import saw his brilliant free kick canon off the cross bar with five minutes left.
The victory could only lift Solomon Ogbeide-led Lobi Stars to third spot in Group A with seven points, three behind the duo of Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca who emerged from the group into the quarter final with ten points apiece.
Wydad also on Saturday defeated Sundowns 1-0 in Rabat to assure themselves of profession regardless of what happened in Enugu.
