Lobi Stars defeated Cameroonian side UMS de Loum 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate in a game decided at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu on Wednesday afternoon.
The nominated Nigerian league champions arrived the Eastern Nigerian city only in the early hours of Wednesday after a late change in the venue of the game originally scheduled for the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.
Solomon Ogbeide-led Lobi Stars did not take long to settle down in Enugu however as striker Sikiru Alimi latched onto a rebound after Samad Kadiri’s effort came off the post, to give Lobi the lead, thereby canceling out the 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
Meanwhile, In the Confederation Cup, AITEO Cup champions Enugu Rangers sealed qualification to the next round of the competition after an emphatic 3-1 win over hosts Defence Force of Ethiopia to progress 5-1 on aggregate.
The hosts raced to an early lead when Minyelu Wendimu converted from the penalty spot in the third minute, halving the 2-0 frst leg deficit but winger Bright Silas brought Rangers level in the 36th minute before Godwin Aguda silenced the home crowd at the Addis Ababa Stadium with a 40th minute penalty after he was fouled inside the box.
Rangers took the result beyond any doubt when substitute Kelvin Itoya scored from inside the box eleven minutes from time to seal Rangers’ 5-1 progress to the next round.
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