The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Iorfa

  • I did my best for Lobi – Iorfa

    I did my best for Lobi – Iorfa

    Vice-chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, Mr. Dominic Iorfa will relinquish his position at the end of the year after 14 years of meritorious service to the Benue State-owned club.

    During this period, the former international served as Sole administrator, chairman, Technical Director and Vice-Chairman.

    Iorfa, who guided Lobi Stars to the finals of this year’s Federation Cup finals said he has taken the decision to step down after due consultation with his family.

    “After 14 years at the helm of affairs of Lobi Stars, the time has come for me to step down so as to have more time to face other challenges.

    “I did my best while serving as Sole Administrator, Chairman and Technical Director of the club. My landmark achievements are there for everyone to see.”

    Iorfa also thanked the Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom for giving Lobi Stars both physical and moral support since assuming office in May this year.

    “I want to thank the government and people of Benue State for giving me the opportunity to serve the state. I want to specially appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who has been very supportive since he assumed office.

    Iorfa, however, said even as he is stepping down from his position, he will continue to give Lobi Stars and football in the state all the necessary support.

  • Iorfa delays resignation from Lobi

    Iorfa delays resignation from Lobi

    • Idoko, Kpakor, Imenger to form new board

    Vice chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, Dominic Iorfa has been given a soft-landing by Benue State government, sponsors of the club.

    Iorfa, a former international has led the club for more than 13 years as the Vice chairman of the Makurdi side, during this period, he won the FA Cup and played at the continental level.

    Iorfa also led the club to the 2015 Federation Cup finals . He lost to Akwa United.

    SportingLife gathered exclusively that before the 2015 Federation Cup in Lagos, the ex-Super Eagles had a gentleman’s agreement to allow him complete the 2015 Glo Premier League and Federation Cup before he would resign.

    Even though the Benue State government wanted to sack him at the initial stage but when he pleaded for more time, it was granted but with a clause that he will immediately resign, SportingLife gathered.

    But more than two weeks after the Federation Cup and  the end of the 2015 Glo Premier League session, Iorfa is yet to honour his gentleman’s agreement, this according to supporters of Lobi Stars, who want to see a quick change in the club is causing anxiety.

    SportingLife gathered also that Benue State may carry out total reorganisation in the club to reposition it ahead of the league session for better performance and prudent financial management.

    Apart from this, the state government also plans to probe the financial activities of the  club, especially with  regards to the building of a football academy at Uchi town, located  on the Makurdi-Gboko road, which gulped more than N700 million by the management of the club,yet work is still at the foundation stage before it was abandoned.

    Already, Benue football coaches are united in their quest to take Lobi Stars to a greater height no matter who is appointed to lead the club.

    Names of those who would constitute the Lobi stars new management are Mike Idoko, Sam Aindi, Terver Ikya, Barnabas Imenger and Moses Kpakor.

    It is expected that Dominic Iorfa will turn in his letter of resignation as agreed or his sack maybe announced before the first week of December.

  • Players’ protest in Government House was orchestrated – Iorfa

    Players’ protest in Government House was orchestrated – Iorfa

    Following the protest of Lobi Stars Football Club players to the Benue State Governor over unpaid salaries and match bonuses amidst poor management, the Vice Chairman of the club has responded saying his enemies want him out because he didn’t support the new government during electioneering.

    Mr Iorfa, who have been at the helm of affairs at the club for over 14 years explained that he couldn’t afford to support the present Governor, Samuel Ortom as that would have amounted to anti-party activities considering that the ruling party then was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Because Suswam is in the PDP, I cannot as chairman of the Club be seen to be indulging in anti party activities given the government in power. Money only comes to us from government because it is a government club. So, when the new government came, people thought that they will take advantage of it. Those who want to blackmail me are just being mischievous but I am too big for that. I don’t have their time. I will always give my best and we’ve been in the FA Cup final four times and preparing for the final against Akwa United.”

    He added that he had run the club credible well and wondered why people were antagonising instead of supporting him.

    “Those who complain that I have led the club for 14 years without a league trophy should ask themselves how many teams in the league have won the league title in Nigeria. Only four have done so namely Kano Pillars, Dolphins, Enyimba and Bayelsa United. I don’t understand why people instead of supporting the team to grow are bent on running me down.

    “The English Premier League that many know about, how many of the teams in the league have won the League trophy. I can beat my chest proudly to say I have led Lobi Stars creditably. We’ve played in the continent, have won the FA Cup, have finished as runners up and have never gone on relegation. Clubs like Shooting Stars, Plateau United to mention a few have suffered that fate but Lobi has been in the league every season.”

  • Dominic Iorfa for Eagles at 23 – Father

    Dominic Iorfa for Eagles at 23 – Father

    Wolves defender Dominic Iorfa will only consider playing for Nigeria when he is 23 years, his father has told AfricanFootball.com.

    The 19-year-old fullback has established himself at English Championship club Wolves and this week was called up by the England U-21s after featuring for England at various other age categories.

    His father, Dominic Iorfa senior,  told AfricanFootball.com “a lot is going on” in Nigeria’s age-group teams and so he would rather his son focus on playing for the Super Eagles when he is a lot older and more matured.

    “My boy will still play for Nigeria, but that will be when he is 23, much older and matured, because a lot of things are going on in the age-group teams and nobody wants to be messed up,” said Iorfa senior, who was a flying winger when in the 80s he represented Nigeria at full international level.

    Iorfa further said he was excited his son has been called up by the England U-21s.

    “This invitation shows the boy is making steady progress,” said the proud Lobi Stars vice-chairman.

  • Wolves’Iorfa targets more wins

    Wolves’Iorfa targets more wins

    Wolverhampton defender Dominic Iorfa has targeted more wins after assisting his club defeat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in their first game in the Championship on Saturday.

    The England youth international went the full distance at Ewood Park alongside Carl Ikeme while Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo came off the bench six minutes from time.

    “Great start to the season, good team performance. Hopefully the first win of many! #wwfc,” said Dominic Iorfa.

    The 20-year-old racked up 20 appearances under his belt during the 2014 – 2015 season, as the Molineux Stadium outfit narrowly missed out on a play – off spot.

    Next up for Wolves is a League Cup tie against Newport County before they host Hull City next weekend.

  • My dad made me a defender – Iorfa

    My dad made me a defender – Iorfa

    Nigeria-born England U-20 international Dominic Iorfa has revealed that he became a defender because his father and ex-Nigeria international striker Dominic Iorfa senior wanted it so.

    The young defender emerged through Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Academy ranks as a centre-back, but it is at right full back that he burst to prominence at Molineux in the just ended season.

    He said he preferred to be a striker like his dad and actually started as a striker until his father felt otherwise.

    “I started my career as a striker at Southend and I wanted to be a centre- forward like my dad, but ironically it was he who told my coach that he thought I should play in defence,” he told Wolves’ official website.

    “Ever since then I’ve always played in defence but when I was younger I wanted to be a striker really. Most of the professional games I’ve played have been at right back so I’m not really fussed. I will play wherever the manager tells me to play because I’m just happy to be playing matches.

    “I don’t really think at the stage I’m at now I can be dictating where I’m playing – I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I’ll play anywhere as long as I’m on the team sheet.”

  • Iorfa thumbs up Glo League officiating

    Iorfa thumbs up Glo League officiating

     

    The Vice Chairman  and Technical Director of  Lobi Stars FC Dorminic Iorfa has described his team performance as impressive despite losing 3-1 to the Dream Team VI in a friendly match during the commissioning of the synthetic turf of the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi last Saturday.

    The former QPR striker also described the Nigerian League as highly improved as compared to the last five to six seasons, the highly travelled former Nigerian international said after the high profile friendly game.

    Iorfa said: “Those who follow football in this country can testify that the standard of play and officiating have improved tremendously as evident in the series of away draws recorded on week two of the league. Apart from Lobi Stars pulling a 1-1 draw away to Bayelsa United, about five more teams got a similar result, Heartland beat Shooting Stars in Ibadan, this is good for the game.”

    On the return of  Lobi Stars to Aper Aku Stadium with the 1-3 loss to the Dream Team, Iorfa added that: “Makurdi fans have been starved of real football action for more than five years, thank God football is back to Makurdi, beginning with Enyimba game on Wednesday, the fans are going to watch a brand new Lobi Stars, the league is a different ball game, as you can see from the way we played, our boys scored first then the equalizer came not too long after our goal, the boys played very well against the Dream Team. I’m satisfied with their second half performance we made a few changes which stabilized the game. The goals were scored in the first half, the coaches will work on the lapses identified.”

    Meanwhile, Lobi Stars have thrown stadium gates open for fans ahead of their Glo Premier League clash with Enyimba on Wednesday.

    Besides the VIP that will be paid for, the grand stand and popular side of the Stadium have been thrown open for Makurdi side fans and its environs as top flight side strive to bring back their fans to the Aper Aku Stadium.

  • Iorfa tips son for greatness in England

    Iorfa tips son for greatness in England

    Fast rising Wolverhampton Wanderers’ defender, Dominic Iorfa Jnr emerged as the Man of the Match in his club’s narrow loss to Fulham in the English FA Cup tie played at the Molineux on Tuesday night.

    Iorfa Jnr was at his true element throughout the match that lasted for 120 minutes before the club felled to their fellow championship side, Fulham during the penalty kick.

    The second son of Dominic Iorfa senior had a fantastic game regardless of the loss that he was adjudged as the best player of the match in only his first full season with the main team of Wolves.

    Cauley Woodrow drew the first blood for the away side in the 27th minute but Wolves levelled through David Edwards in the 71st minute and added the second through Rajiv Van La Parra in the 73rd minute of the encounter.

    The visitors did not surrender as they scored the equaliser through Cauley Woodrow in the 76th minute and it ended that way at the end of the 90 minutes.

    The initial leg had ended goalless which means a winner must emerge and so the game went to extra time where Wolves netted the third goal through David Edwards in the 109th minute. They were almost home and dry before they conceded a late minute penalty which was converted by Fulham’s Ross McCormack in the 120th minute.

    During the penalty shootout, Wolves converted only three of theirs while Fulham were successful in all their five spot kicks.

    Iorfa senior told SportingLife that he was more than happy for the rise of his son and he has tipped Dominic Jr for more impressive and improved outing if he maintains his consistency.

    “No father will not be happy with the performance of his child. I am impressed with the performance of my son and I will only charge him to continue to do more and try to improve in other parts of his game. He was the Man of the Match in the FA Cup match with Fulham on Tuesday night even though his team lost narrowly,” Iorfa senior told SportingLife.

    Iorfa Jnr is at the centre of Wolves promotion bid to the premier league as they are eighth with 40 points from 25 games. They are only a point from the play off zone.

  • Wolves stop Iorfa from U-23 screening

    Wolves stop Iorfa from U-23 screening

    Samson Siasia’s plans to assembly a formidable Under-23 team for Nigeria has suffered another setback with the father of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, Dominic Iorfa senior ruling his son out.

    The Young Dominic Iorfa, who made his debut last week for Wolves ?in a 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth, is among the list of 47 players presently expected in camp for the Nigeria under-23.

    However his Dad is adamant he won’t honour the call, as his commitment with his club won’t let him do so, aside he needs more time to mature.

    “I wouldn’t want anybody to misunderstand me. The truth is that my son is not ripe for U-23. He is just 19 years, so he needs more time to mature to that level,” he said in Makurdi.

    “Moreover, the timing is not good for the young man. He is just getting into the line up of Wolves and there are so many matches for him to play between now and January.

    “There is no time for him to come and screen for weeks in Nigeria. In fact no player who is playing for his club will have such time to spare.”

    The Lobi Stars supremo however insists his son will play for Nigeria in the future despite representing England at Youth level but preferably for the Super Eagles.

    “In fact, it will be better for him to come and play for the Super Eagles without screening. Then he must have reached the mental and physical requirements.” he added.

    If Iorfa fails to attend the camp, Siasia, who is currently struggling to assemble players for the camp, might be forced into a change of strategy as it will be a case of one too many withdrawals.

  • Iorfa voted Man of the Match

    Iorfa voted Man of the Match

    Dominic Iorfa picked up the Man of The Match award on his debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers in their 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth.

     The debutant was announced as the Man of the Match via the club’s official twitter handle, terming it as a great achievement for the youngster.

    A part of the 47 players invited by Nigeria Under-23 coach Samson Siasia for screening, the son of former Nigeria International, Dominic Iorfa spent time on loan at English League One side, Shrewsbury Town.

     At Shrewsbury he made seven appearances standing tall in their defence, leading to Wolves manager Kevin Jacket turning down overtures from clubs who wanted the 19-year-old on loan.

     After training with the team for three months he finally made his debut, picking up a yellow card in the process as Wolves slumped to their fourth defeat in a row.

    Despite representing England at Youth level, he is still very much in the picture to represent Nigeria anytime at Senior level. He will be hoping to follow in his father’s footstep, who made a handful of appearances for the Nigerian senior side and presently manages the affair of Glo/NPFL team Lobi Stars.