The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Evans Ogenyi

  • Lobi Stars FC gets technical advisory committee

    Lobi Stars FC gets technical advisory committee

    The Board of Lobi Stars FC has constituted a technical advisory committee to assist Coach Evans Ogenyi-led crew to push the team to greater heights.

    The board gave the approval at a meeting in Makurdi after it assessed the team’s performance 14 weeks since the commencement  of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    According to a release signed by the Club’s Secretary, Terzungwe Chugh, the role of the new committee “is purely advisory.”

    It listed the names of the committee members as Moses Kpakor, Tom Aondona, Emmanuel Orkaa, Peter Akaazua and Fidelis Antyumbe.

    The statement warned the players against any form of laxity and indiscipline as displayed during the game against Nasarawa United at the Aper Aku Stadium on March 19.

    The board observed that although the performance of the team so far was commendable, there was need for  more commitment on the part of the players.

    It expressed confidence that the dream of the team to be among the best at the end of the season remains realisable as only five points separate Lobi Stars FC and the team on top of the log.

    “The management express appreciation to Gov. Samuel Ortom for all the support and funding despite the present economic realities.”

    It also acknowledged the support of media and the club’s teeming fans for their wonderful support and show of solidarity.

  • Ogunbote: Enyimba played excellently loss

    Gbenga Ogunbote, Chief Coach of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, says his team’s performance against hosts Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi was excellent, in spite of a 1-2 loss.

    Enyimba could not hold on to a first half lead in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 10 clash.

    Ogunbote however told newsmen after the match played at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi that his team’s performance was “excellent’’.

    He expressed satisfaction with how his team played, saying “although we lost the match today against Enyimba, I can authoritatively say that my boys played well.’’

    Evans Ogenyi, the Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars FC, on his part also commended his team for their performance.

    Tyavkase Terbol scored the match’s winning goal in the 88th minute, after Anthony Okpotu had scored the first goal for Lobi Stars in the 70th minute of the match.

    Kennedy Uche had scored Enyimba’s lone goal in the 17th minute through a penalty kick.

     

  • Uwua accepts suspension in good faith

    Uwua accepts suspension in good faith

    Lobi Stars technical adviser, Godwin Uwua has taken his suspension by the club in good faith and insists he will wait till the club calls him back.

    The former Flying Eagles coach was suspended on Monday for three weeks by the board for his team’s 0-0 home draw against Katsina United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 8 in Makurdi on Sunday.

    In a chat with SportingLife, the former Enyimba FC of Aba manager said he bears no grudges against anybody.

    “I can’t say the decision by the club to suspend me is fair or not but I’m under the club and its management so I take it in good faith,” said Uwua to SportingLife.

    “I was at the training when they announced that I have been suspended for three weeks for picking a draw in the game against Katsina United. In the game of football, it is either you win, lose or draw. We have played seven matches and we have picked away draw too. We are currently in 8th position on the league table, which I don’t think is bad compared to others. In seven matches played so far, we won three, drawn 2 and lose two games.

    “I was called to come and turnaround Lobi Stars and I am trying to do my best for the team. I don’t have any bad feelings towards the board decision; it is a price to pay in football. I will continue to do my best. To God be the glory.”

    Coach Evans Ogenyi has been directed to take over pending Uwua’s return from suspension.

  • Pre-season: Lobi Stars end first phase with win

    Pre-season: Lobi Stars end first phase with win

    Lobi Stars FC ended its first phase of the pre-season preparation in style on Friday morning with a win over Esperanza Football Club of Lagos in Ijebu-Ode.

    Sunday Alimi  gave Lobi Stars the lead in 17th minute and they took full charge of the match from that moment with Bernard Ikuwe and Eche Idakwo impressive movement on and off the ball make the game difficult for the visitors.

    Irohe Lute would’ve made it two nil for Lobi Stars before half time but he missed a clear-cut chance. Barnabas Danile wasted no time to make his mark as he scored the second goal just a minute in the second half to give Makurdi-based outfit a comfortable 2-0 win.

    Lobi Stars Chief Coach, Evans Ogenyi rested much of the first team players as a way to give the new players a chance to play and blend them with old players.

    The former Enyimba and Nassarawa United head coach said he is satisfied with the first phase of the pre-season and he’s optimistic that the current players will make Benue State proud when the new Season kicks off.

    Ogenyi, who had earlier worked with Bayelsa United, Ocean Boys FC as head Coach urged Lobi Stars supporters to always come out in numbers whenever their team is playing at home as that will help motivate the players and take Benue State to a different level.

    Lobi Stars won the 4th edition of the Gold Cup pre-season tournament in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Sunday after beating MFM FC of Lagos on penalties.

     

     

     

  • Lobi Stars flaunt home ground

    Lobi Stars flaunt home ground

    • Set for action

    As clubs await the kick-off of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season, Lobi Stars appear to be banking on their new-look home ground of natural grass to do exploits this season.

    The Makurdi-based side that finished in the 14th position last season with 52 points in 38 matches appear to be itchy to host their first opponents at the venue, even as they proudly reminded anyone who cared to listen that the venue is one of the few in the country with a natural grass surface.

    “Did you know @LobiStars home ground is one of the few venues with natural grass in the Glo Premier League?,” the club asked Tuesday on its Twitter handle.

    The coach Evans Ogenyi-tutored side with a league title won in 1999, FA Cup clinched in 2003 as well as a Nigerian Super Cup crown won in 1999 in the kitty, will be hoping to take their performance to greater heights when hostilities begin this season and possibly have a shot at the opportunity to represent the country once more either in the CAF Champions League or the Confederation Cup.

    The Dominic Iorfa-led club has made one appearance in the Champions League in 2000, crashing out in the group stage, two appearances in the Confederation Cup 2004 and 2006, kissing the exit in the second round and one appearance in the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Championship in 2010, crashing out in the first round. Baring any last minute change of plans, the 2013/2014 season which was postponed from February 21, will now kick off March 7.

  • Lobi feeders duo get big break

    Lobi feeders duo get big break

    The conveyor belt at Lobi Feeders has continued to unearth fresh talents as Michael Anura and Suleiman Ochimana have earned the confidence of Lobi Stars gaffer, Evans Ogenyi.

    Anura and Ochimana played for Lobi’s development team in the Nationwide Division 1 (Amateur) League last season before their elevation.

    The progress of the duo underscores a tradition since club supremo and former Nigerian international, Dominic Iorfa, who played for QPR and Galatasaray, established the youth team.

    Anura is comfortable at right-back and left-back, while Ochimana plays in the central defence.

    Supersport.com learnt that Anura has been with the club’s youth system since 2010, while Ochimana made his debut in 2011.

    “It’s a dream come true for me,” 18-year-old Ochimana told supersport.com.

    Imposing central defender, Stephen Eze and Victor Obinna Jnr made their progress to the first team last term and Suleiman Mohammed joined the duo in the top flight during the mid-season break after helping the youth side to fifth position in the Nationwide League.

    Interestingly, all three were nominees in the Best Feeder Team Draft at the 2013 LBA and Eze won the award.

    Lobi Feeders also won the Best Youth Team category at the 2013 LBA.