The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LOBI STARS

  • Lobi Stars’ key players intact – Idoko

    Lobi Stars’ key players intact – Idoko

    Vice Chairman, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, Mike Idoko has described media reports that most of its key players have dumped the team as untrue.

    The highly experienced football administrator, who stated this in an interview with Lobi Stars News, noted that the team’s key players are intact and are currently engaged in a pre season tournament in Ijebu Ode.

    He stressed that what transpired between the management of the club and a few key players was the high wage bills and other demands which the club considered as unrealistic for now, considering the economic realities in the country.

    On the setting up of a technical committee for the club, the former Sunshine Stars boss said the move was in line with the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) guidelines which would enhance productivity in that department.

    He assured the team’s teeming supporters that the players to prosecute next season’s matches are on ground as over 70% of the regulars are intact.

  • Tornadoes Itchy to win Gold Cup *tackle FC Ebiede Friday

     
    Tornadoes coach Abubakar Bala has declared that winning the Gold cup tournament especially as new comers will be a major boost ahead of the new Premier league season in December.
    Bala who has reduced his team to 30 players after serious screening admitted that it was not an easy decisions as virtually all the players look good noting however that there was no way he could take everybody.
    “Winning the Gold cup will no doubt be a major boost for us especially considering that we are new comers, but we intend to do our very best,” he said.
    The level of competition witnessed last season according to him is an indication that the new season will be full of fireworks. “Preparation for next season has to be thorough and we are taking it seriously, we have reduced the team to 30 man squad to remain here with us for the Gold Cup.
    “It was a tough decision for us, but as professionals the technical crew ensured that we select the best,”, he said adding that the Gold Cup will provide ample opportunity to watch the new additions in real match situations.
    “I am happy that the boys showed high level of maturity after I named the 30-man squad. Those that could not make the team are even wished the club well as they move on with their lives.
    Tornadoes will kick off the Gold Cup on Friday against FC Ebiede in Ijebu Ode. The Minna based side had earlier played some friendly matches against New Generation Academy of Lagos, Lobi Stars and Rangers respectively.

  • Agbaji thrilled with atmosphere in Lobi Stars

    Agbaji thrilled with atmosphere in Lobi Stars

    Lobi Stars skipper Anthony Agbaji has insisted that the team is in good shape for the next Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    “We are in Ijebu Ode for the pre-season training. The atmosphere is great but you know how hot it could be out here. We are in good state of health, the mood is good and every player is looking forward to the new season. The boys are targeting good results,” Agbaji told Goal.

    The defender praised the efforts put in place by head coach of the team Godwin Uwua.

    “He (Uwua) has welcomed everyone with open hands and a plain level ground. He always tell us to feel free to express ourselves. The relationship in camp has been cordial and a family like situation thanks to the impact of our coaches,” he continued.

    “Last season we lost at the home bend but in the next one we intend to compete for laurels. A continental slot shouldn’t be out of place for us.”

  • Imenger relishes Lobi Stars away draw

    Imenger relishes Lobi Stars away draw

    Lobi Stars Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger has attributed his side’s 1-1 draw against Rangers international to God’s unfailing love on the team.

    Ocheme Edoh scored his first goal for Rangers, but the home team’s joy was cut short when Kingsley Eduwo equalised for Lobi Stars. The game ended 1-1 despite Lobi finishing with 10 men after Sunday Akleche was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Imenger said the technical crew led by Godwin Uwua got the team’s selection right while he heaped praises on the players for playing according to match plan.

    “Before the match, we prayed to God to deliver us from conceding last minute goals and God answered our prayers. The boys played according to the  plans. The teamwork gave us the game and the coaches got the selection right and I pray it continues as we push for glory in the remaining matches,” Imenger told SportingLife.

  • Imenger craves for Lobi Stars improvement

    Imenger craves for Lobi Stars improvement

    • Urges Uwua to carry assistants along

    Lobi Stars Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger has called for an improvement in the team.

    The ex-international stated this in the wake of the team’s 3-0 defeat to Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash on Sunday.

    lmenger praised his boys for their performances so far but charged them to step up their fighting spirit.

    “Our results in the last couple of matches were disappointing. We dropped points that we were not supposed to drop  and the worst was that we were knocked out of the Federation Cup,” Imenger said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the commitment and dedication of the technical crew led by coach Godwin Uwua but charged them to be more united.

    “I expect the head coach, who is  experienced to continue carrying his assistants along as he is presently doing, more importantly in the area of  the team’s selection; placement of players in the rightful positions as well as to do consultations with the bench during matches for rightful substations,” he added.

    lmenger believes that the head coach being an ambitious and listening coach will take note of these observations and work on them to achieve success with the team as the league is reaching its most important phase.

    “I’ve known him to be a fighter, who has overcome difficult situations at difficult times. I know the team is going through a trying time and I believe the coach will find a lasting solution to it.”

  • Lobi Stars to challenge Lyon for Nigerian striker

    Lobi Stars to challenge Lyon for Nigerian striker

    Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Nigeria Professional Football League side Lobi Stars have joined the race to sign Iorbee Godwin Zaki.

    The 21-year-old is also on the shopping list of Olympique Lyonnais and the French Ligue 1 powerhouse have handed him a trial with a view to offering him a contract in the summer.

    Lobi Stars are in advanced talks with Zaki, with the coaches set to check on the fitness of the striker early next week before reporting back to management whether they should deal or not.

    He played domestically for Lobi Stars before transferring to Finnish clubLobi Stars  Oulun Palloseura.

    Iorbee Godwin Zaki is back in his homeland after spending a portion of the 2015-2016 season at Maltese club Mqabba.

  • Lobi Stars observe a minute silence for late John George

    Lobi Stars observe a minute silence for late John George

    A minute silence was observed in honour of  late John George during Sunday’s match day 13 Nigeria Professional Football League game between Lobi Stars and Niger Tornadoes at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi yesterday.

    George died on Thursday after a brief illness in Kaduna.

    George, a defensive midfielder, was on loan at Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi from Mighty Jets FC of Jos and he was a regular member of the team.

    The Team manager, Barnabas Imenger told SportingLife that the entire team is still in shock over George’s death.

    He said that the club is in touch with his family in order to give him a  befitting burial.

    “The entire team is in shock and disbelief as well as mourning over his death. We are in touch with his family and the club’s vice chairman, Mike Idoko has already directed to liase with his family for a smooth burial. A minute silence was observed in his honour before kick off in our game against Niger Tornadoes,” Imenger told SportingLife.

    George’s last game was a 2-2 home draw between Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars last month and had obtained permission from the club to return to Kaduna to treat a recurring bout of malaria, a trip he never returned from.

     

  • Uwua blames pitch for Lobi Stars’ defeat

    Uwua blames pitch for Lobi Stars’ defeat

    The tactician has fingered the playing surface of the Onikan Stadium as reason why his side bowed to Oga Boys in Sunday’s Nigeria topflight game

    Lobi Stars manager, Godwin Uwua has blamed the pitch at the Onikan Stadium as a major reason why his team lost to Ikorodu United in a week three NPFL match play at the Onikan Stadium.

    An 11th-minute goal by Balogun Kabir from close range was all the Oga Boys needed and they defended it all through the duration of the match.

    “You know we play more on an artificial turf and it’s obvious that there’s a great difference when you play on a natural and on an artificial pitch,” said Uwua.

    “It’s all good, we shall move on from this defeat and hope to concentrate on our next match. I know that they’ll (Ikorodu United) struggle when they visit Makurdi because the turf there is artificial.”

    However coach Benson disagreed with Uwua’s position stating that the kind of pitch you on determines the boots you wear.

    “I’m astonished that my colleague is giving an excuse for their loss. It’s not easy to play against a team who have won two in two. I knew that the match will be tough and both teams brought more to the table,” he added.

    “As regards the pitch I’m surprised that my colleague has talked about the pitch as a reason for their loss. Though I won’t want to say much on this but there are boots to use depending on the pitch you are to play on.”

  • Lobi Stars introduce Player Monthly award

    Lobi Stars introduce Player Monthly award

    •To honour ex-players

    The management of Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi has revealed plans to reward its outstanding player with best monthly player award.

    SportingLife gathered that the club’s vice chairman Mike Idoko disclosed the plans during his meeting with the club’s management led by the Team Manager, Banarbas Imenger.

    He said the award is imperative to motivate players to do more for the club.

    He also said that the club will put in place a process to honour its former stars that have served and made sacrifices to the team.

    Imenger, confirmed the news to SportingLife stressed that the gesture is to create a competitive atmosphere among the players.

    Imenger said a Technical Committee would put in place to adjudge the winner every month.

    “We have set to reward our most outstanding player with an award every month. There are parameters put in place to discover the winner. The player’s performance to the club would be a yardstick for the award.

    “If a goalkeeper does not concede a goal in a month he may claim the award. A midfielder who provides more assists too can be a potential winner while attacker who scores more goals in a month is in pole position to be rewarded too.

    “At the end of the month a technical committee would put everything together to name the winner. It is a way to create a competitive atmosphere among the players and to encourage them too. Award will be in form of Trophy or plaque,” Imenger told SportingLife.

  • Okiemute joins Lobi Stars

    Okiemute joins Lobi Stars

    SportingLife can reveal that goalkeeper, Odah Okiemute has dumped Warri Wolves Football Club of Warri and has agreed terms with Lobi Stars.

    Okiemute joined array of stars that have left the Seasiders after the 2014/2015 football season for another clubs.

    SportingLife’s visit to Lobi Stars’ training camp at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode saw the former Sharks FC of Port-Harcourt save hands with the rest of the Makurdi-based side squad.

    It is understood that Okiemute arrived in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday but did not involve in the team’s pre-season games.

    Lobi Stars Team Manager, Banarbas Imenger told SportingLife that Okiemute is now with his team.

    “Okiemute is our players now and we have completed everything concerning his move. He came on Wednesday and he will be part of training in Makurdi,” Imenger told SportingLife.

    Warri Wolves media officer, Azuka Chiemeka confirmed Okiemute exit to SportingLife, stressing that the player is not part of their plan for the coming season.

    “Okiemute is no more our player and we are not registering him for the next season. We have our players that we are unveiling today (Thursday) and he is not part of them,” Chiemeka told SportingLife.