Tag: LOBI STARS

Lobi Stars have suspended head coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed indefinitely following a disappointing run of results that has dented the club’s hopes of making an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The decision was taken after the club’s Interim Management Committee held an emergency meeting, where the team’s recent performances were reviewed. Management expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s form, which has fallen short of expectations at this crucial stage of the campaign.

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Under Abubakar Bala’s guidance, Lobi Stars managed just seven points from a possible 18 in their opening six matches. The club currently sits sixth in an eight-team group, a position considered unacceptable for a side with promotion ambitions.

As part of the decision, the suspended Technical Adviser has been directed to hand over his duties to the club’s Chief Coach, John Onuh, popularly known as “Abacha,” with immediate effect. Onuh will oversee the team’s affairs while the club evaluates its next steps.

The development underscores the pressure on Lobi Stars to quickly steady their campaign and revive their promotion push, as the club’s management seeks improved results and a return to winning ways in the coming fixtures.

Lobi Stars Football Club has confirmed the appointment of Father Dennis Adoga, the initiator of the NFF President Cup, as the club’s new Coordinator — a move aimed at boosting administrative efficiency and strengthening internal structures.

The appointment, according to a statement signed by the club’s Media Director, Emmanuel Uja, marks part of the team’s strategic plan to enhance professionalism and streamline day-to-day operations.

A seasoned football administrator, Father Adoga previously served with Taraba United and Kada Warriors. He is expected to act as a vital link between management, the technical bench, and players, ensuring effective communication and smoother logistics.

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In the same announcement, Lobi Stars unveiled other key appointments: Finbar Yamelu (Team Manager), John Onuh (Chief Coach), Emma Abah (Goalkeeper Trainer I), and Austine Tyowua (Media Officer).

 “These appointments are designed to reposition the club for greater success. Fr. Adoga’s experience will bring renewed discipline, structure, and professionalism,” the statement noted.

With these administrative changes, Lobi Stars are setting sights on a more efficient and result-driven system as they aim for sustained domestic and continental success.

There  has been wild jubilations in Benue state  after Governor Hyacinth Alia dissolved the Board and Management of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi .

In a statement signed by the chief Press Secretary(CPS), to the Governor, Sir Kulas Tersoo, on Thursday the Governor has approved  the  dissolution of the Board and Management of the Benue state-owned football club.

The statement said the  dissolution was  with immediate effect.

” The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.

“The Governor further directed that all members of the dissolved management should hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity with immediate effect.”

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The Governor expressed appreciation to the outgoing board and management for their services to the club and the state, and assured that a new management structure will soon be announced to drive the next phase of Lobi Stars’ growth and competitiveness.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development as a vital tool for youth engagement, talent discovery, and social cohesion in Benue State.

Recalled, the dissolved Philip Nongu led-Board and Management took over the club in September last year .

The club was  15^th  position on the Nigeria Premier League (NPFL),but went down on relegation thereafter, bringing  pains and anguished  to the football loving people of Benue state.

Lobi Stars Football Club has unveiled Coach Abubakar Bala as their new Technical Adviser, signaling the start of a rebuilding process aimed at returning the team to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Addressing sports journalists in Makurdi, the club’s Chairman, Dr Philip Nongu, who also serves as Acting Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity and other members of the Board who were present welcomed members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and acknowledged inheriting both the players and staff, along with a two-month salary backlog, from the previous administration.

He decried acts of sabotage aimed at tarnishing the club’s image in the last football season but assured that the new leadership acknowledges the lessons from the team’s relegation and is resolutely committed to steering the club toward a new era of growth and success.

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The Chairman highlighted efforts already underway, including overhauling the technical crew, recruiting young and indigenous talents, restructuring salaries, and improving welfare packages such as match bonuses and feeding allowances.

He also provided updates on the on-going work at Aper Aku and McCarthy stadiums, noting that Akume Atongo Stadium would serve as a backup home ground if needed.

Bala, who had a successful previous spell with the club, promised to build a competitive team where selection will be based purely on merit and quality. “We don’t discuss formations outside the pitch our focus is on delivering results on it,” he said.

The event featured the signing of the contract between Lobi Stars and Coach Bala and was capped by a minute’s silence in honour of Akin Olowookere Assistant Coach of Shooting Stars, who passed away yesterday morning during exercise at Otunba Dipo Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Lobi Stars Coach Tony Bolus is optimistic the Pride of Benue would keep on fighting until the end of the season despite their 2-0 loss to Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

Bolus who was newly appointed as Lobi Stars coach told journalists that he is encouraged by his players’ toughness and performance despite the defeat in. Umuahia and are proceeding home to prepare for their next fixture.

The former Vandrezzer and Katsina United gaffer, said the result wasn’t the true reflection of the game, saying that they were the better side throughout the game, but Abia Warriors were just lucky to have converted their chances.

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 “Yes, I don’t think that the result is the true reflection of the game,” Bolus told journalists at the Umuahia Township Stadium. ”However, the team did very well, but one or two mistake caused us to concede cheap goals, but then I’m really encourage with the way we performed in the game, I think it is our  best performance despite the loss.”

He added:  “Of course, that’s your own opinion, but we are fighting for all games till now, and we are not going to give up because you can see the team is not playing badly.

 “But with 24 points still to fight for until the end of the season, we are going to fight till the end to have a chance of survival.”

Lobi Stars are doing everything possible to escape the relegation zone in the current campaign and have imposed  pay cut on  the players who are not measuring up to standards with 10 games to the end of the season.

The Benue State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Rt. Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange read the riot act during the unveiling of Tope Bulus as the team’s new head coach.

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In a statement by the club’s media, Commissioner Ikyange reminded the players that beyond football, their livelihoods were at stake saying that “only those who deliver on the pitch will get paid. Going forward.”

Bulus was introduced to replace Muhammed Babaganaru, who exited after three winless matches.

Heartland’s away draw thrills Amuneke

Heartland’s  Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke,  believes  his side’s  drawn  game  away in Lafia against Lobi Stars would be a morale booster ahead of the second stanza  of the ongoing Nigeria Premier  Football League (NPFL).  

Heartland without about 10 key players , grinded a goalless draw at the Lafia City Stadium and Amuneke praised the players for sticking to the game’s  plan despite playing in a very charged  environment.

“It was a tough. If we look at the circumstances of the game, the pitch was very hot for the players but as the sun set it was better to play on. We came out with a plan and I am happy that we are able to execute those plans. We knew it was not going to be easy for us but we were able to remain calm and composed,” Amuneke told the club’s media.

“In the first half, if we  had taken our chances, this game would have ended 3-0 in our favour but unfortunately we didn’t take them. We are nonetheless glad that we left with a point.”

Amuneke who was discovered from a grassroots competition in Lagos noted that the chance given to the young players have started manifesting adding that his resolve is to continue to encourage the young players so that they will continue to progress.

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He continued: “We have young players in the team. Most of them this is their first topflight  experience. I am glad they are growing and progressing.

“Every journey requires a holistic and realistic approach. It is what we intend doing. We shall go back and make a decision when we are calm and all variables have been considered.

“I am proud of the young players. I think we have lost the culture of building from the grassroots. We now want quick fix it and not ready for long term goals. 

“We want to give our young players opportunity to grow. Victor Osimhen, the former African Footballer of the Year was a product of the grassroots with the efforts of me and Emeka Amadi.

“ But within five years, he is among the top players in the world. We must encourage our young players,” he added.

Lobi Stars FC have unveiled attacker Ossy Martins (formerly Remo Stars), Babatunde Solomon (formerly Akwa United), Akor Itodo (Ex-Gombe United) and Assurance Ifeanyi (formerly Bayelsa United) among their newly signed players ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The ritual which is done by clubs just before the start of new season was performed by Lobi Stars’ Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dominic Iorfa in Jos with other club’s officials in attendance.

Lobi Stars fell off the top three radar towards the end of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2023-24 season due to domestic issues and could only finish sixth at the end of the season.

The Pride of Benue also added some players from the grassroots to preserve their home groom policy which led to the discovery of Kumaga Suur among others last season.

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The players signed in that regard are Yoonen Peter Terna (Gboko Local Government), Japhet Aondoyavenga (Makurdi LGA), Gyenkwe Torkuma (Gboko LGA), Bemshima Hilega (Vandeikya KGA), and Joseph Komgbenda (Makurdi LGA).

Other players acquired are: Assurance Ifeanyi (Bayelsa United), Jide Williams (Bendel Insurance), Valentine Igiga (Gombe United), Babatunde Solomon (Akwa United), Yem Reuben (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Samuel Anefiok (Doma United), Itodo Akor (Gombe United), Ossy Martins (Remo Stars), Jimmy Iteji (Plateau United), Segun Oluwatoba (Ijebu United), and Matthew Arinze (Abia Warriors).

Lobi Stars have relocated to Jos for a closed camping exercise and they will take part in the Gusau/Ahlan Preseason Tournament with a game with Mighty Jets this afternoon by 2pm.

They are in Group C alongside Kano Pillars, Mighty Jets and Discovery Academy in the preseason tournament.

Lobi Stars have opted for the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi for the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season following the failure of the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi to be ready for the start of the season.

They will share the ground with owners of the stadium Wikki Tourists who campaign in the second tier Nigeria National League, NNL.

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The Makurdi-based outfit’s original home ground, Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi is undergoing renovation.

This will be the second successive season Lobi Stars will prosecute their home matches away from home after hosting last season’s games at the Lafia City Stadium.

Nasarawa United who will also participate in the NPFL, this term, own the Lafia City stadium.

Lobi will open their campaign in the 2024/25 NPFL against Akwa United next month.