The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lobi

  • Addingi replaces Amokachi at Lobi as NPFL sack Tornadoes

    Addingi replaces Amokachi at Lobi as NPFL sack Tornadoes

    Lobi Stars have named Samuel Addingi as their interim coach following the sudden departure of head coach, Daniel Amokachi.

    Amokachi, a former Nigerian international,  reportedly exited the club last weekend due to the team’s inconsistent performances.

    Yesterday afternoon, the club’s management confirmed Addingi’s appointment.

    Having been a member of the backroom staff for some time, he now stepped up to lead the team until the end of the season.

    Lobi Stars picked a 2-2 draw in Ibadan against Shooting Stars in Addingi’s first game since he was named the interim coach.

    Meanwhile, The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)  has barred Niger Tornadoes from prosecuting their home games at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna because of its unsuitability to host league games.

    The Ikon Allah Boys have been directed to choose an alternative venue for their next home match from approved NPFL grounds.

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    This is due to the poor state of the Bako Kontagora Stadium pitch, which falls short of club licensing requirements.

    The Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, which the club also picked as their alternative home ground, is also in need of adequate proper pitch maintenance hence the directive to choose another alternative home ground from the approved NPFL stadia.

    Niger Tornadoes can only return to their home ground, Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, if they put the pitch and other facilities in good shape for television coverage.

  • Lobi’s Adebayo thrilled over  NPFL wins

    •  Paul Onehi

    Lobi Stars forward, Waheed Adebayo,  believes  ‘ spirit  high’ now  at the Makurdi-based  side  following  last month’s  2-0 win  away to Kwara United at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin .

    An early own goal by Oshagbemi and a goal from Stanley Oganbor made sure the Makurdi side grabbed their 10th  win of the season in the North-Central derby encounter.

    The Dominic Iorfa- led side at the weekend continued their rich vein of form  with a 1-0 win over Heartland  FC of Owerri in Lafia but Adebayo  reckoned the victory  against Kwara  United  was key  for them.

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    Kwara is my state, my father’s state,” Adebayo  said I an interview  with  Lagos-based sport radio station, Brila FM. “Kwara is where I was born and brought up. A lot of fans showed up, my fans and family came to watch me and I was really happy to get the win away from Ilorin. It was such a joyful moment for me and I will never forget that day in my life.

    “Lobi Stars are on same points with Remo Stars and they have given us some challenge at the summit. We have two home games next, and this is probably our chance to move past them but we will take it one at a time because it’s not easy,” he added.

     The former MFM FC striker reiterated that  the team  was getting all the support hence they are resolute  in their drive in the on-going campaign.

    “The spirit is high in the team and we are not just targeting a continental spot but the NPFL title,” Waheed  continued. “The players have had massive support from the management and the state government.

    “Our welfare has been the utmost priority for them and we can only repay them with good results and a title at the end of the season, ” Waheed added.

  • NPFL: Lobi Stars hold tight to top spot

    Lobi Stars held to the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League table following a battling 1-0 home win over Sporting Lagos.

    But Remo Stars won big at home against Gombe United while Shooting Stars, Enugu Rangers and Bendel Insurance all grabbed important away points among other results recorded in the Matchday Eight ties played across the country.

    Lobi Stars remained at the top of the table after a third successive win this term against Sporting Lagos at the Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia. Chinedu Sunday’s 29th  minute strike  proved to be the difference.

    The Pride of Benue tops  with 17 points while Sporting Lagos dropped to the ninth spot with 11 points.

    Elsewhere, Remo Stars recorded a four star performance to beat hapless Gombe United 4-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

    A brace from Sikiru Alimi in the 27th  and 84th  minutes and a goal each from Franck Mawuena and Aniekeme Okon in the 33rd  and 58th  minutes helped catapult the Sky Blue Stars to the second spot with 15 points from seven games.

    At the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure Sunshine Stars dropped two points at home for the second time this season after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Enugu Rangers.

    Godwin Obaje shocked the Owena Whales with the opening goal in the fourth minute but Ibrahim Yusuf restored parity nine minutes later for the home team.

    Moses Omodumueke thought his goal has won the game when he put the home team ahead for the first time in the game in the 81st  minute but Emmanuel Jonas stabbed home the equaliser in the 90th  minute off a heavy deflection from Duke Osimaga.

    With the draw, Rangers are third on the table with 14 points from eight games while Sunshine Stars are in 13th  spot with nine points.

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    At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, Mansoor Saleh’s 47th  minute strike was enough to hand them the three points against Rivers United while Kwara United needed a last ditch goal by Muhammed Alao before rescuing a point at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin against Gbenga Ogunbote led Shooting Stars. Taofeek Malomo scored his third goal of the season when he shot the Oluyole Warriors ahead in the 44th  minute.

    Shooting Stars are fourth on the league table with 14 points while Kwara United are 14th  with nine points.

    At the New Jos Road Stadium, Plateau United bagged their fourth home him of the season after a 3-1 home win over Abia Warriors.

    All the game’s four goals were scored in the opening 27 minutes. Christopher Nwaeze, Barnabas Daniel and Jerry Ogu’s own goal in the fifth, ninth and 16th  minutes in that order put the Peace Boys the head up while Meme Okike’s 27th  minute effort was mainly a consolation goal.

    Due to the win, Plateau United moved to the fifth spot with 13 points while Abia Warriors slipped to the seventh spot with 12 points.

    Niger Tornadoes failed to win their home game for the second consecutive game after they were held to another goalless draw by Bendel Insurance. Insurance are now in the sixth spot with 12 points from seven games.

    Kano Pillars pipped Enyimba 1-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano through Abah Adams 71st  minute.

  • Eduwo keen on firing Lobi to top

    Eduwo keen on firing Lobi to top

    Kingsley Eduwo is looking forward to scoring more goals for Lobi Stars in the second round of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    “I’ve scored five goals so far, I am hoping to score more goals but I’ve created a lot of assists which has helped my team,” Eduwo told Goal.

    “I’m hoping to get more goals in the second half of the season.”

    On the Ortom Boys’ plans to achieve their targets this season, Eduwo said: “Some new players have joined us and we are hoping to get a good outing.

    “We are not in a good position right now, we want to be at the top because that’s where we belong. Paul Onobi, Samad Kadiri and some other guys have all joined us here at Lobi Stars. Quality officiating is very important, in most cases players do give up on away matches before they even play because they know officiating may be bias.

    “I hope that the League Management Company (LMC) and the referees will work on giving us good officiating in every match in the second round.”

  • FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi, Akwa chase Omaka

    FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi, Akwa chase Omaka

     

    Sunshine Stars midfielder, Anthony Omaka is set to dump the club for a move elsewhere after impressing in the colours of the Owena Waves this season.

    The former Flying Eagles invitee has been one of the standout performers for the former CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup campaigners in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season.

    His impressive showing has caught the eye of big spending FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi Stars and Akwa United who are keen to add him to their squad.

    His representative, Adeyinka Adeyinka informed SportingLife that the player is open to leaving the Akure-based outfit during the mid-season transfer window.

    “Anthony has done remarkably well this season and it is no surprise that these clubs are looking to take him away from Sunshine Stars.

    ”I can’t rule out the possibilty of him joining FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi Stars or Akwa United before the end of the current transfer window,” Adeyemi told SportingLife.

  • Okpotu blames Lobi’s mistakes for defeat

    Okpotu blames Lobi’s mistakes for defeat

    Tony Okpotu has revealed that Lobi Stars paid for their mistakes in defence to lose 1-2 to Niger Tornadoes yesterday at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja in a match day 17 tie.

    Ibrahim Babawo’s double put Ikoh Allah Boys in the driver’s seat before Luther Iyorhe pulled a goal back in the second half but Okpotu told SportingLife that the scores would have been different had they not conceded cheap goals.

    The scorer of four league goals in the ongoing season, however, pointed out that they will be going back home to correct the lapses noticed before their next tie with FC Ifeanyiubah.

    With the defeat, Lobi slumped from sixth on the log to 11th with 23 points from 17 games.

  • Amoo relishes win against Lobi

    Amoo relishes win against Lobi

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) head coach, Fatai Amoo has said he is quite pleased with his side’s performance against Lobi Stars.

    The Oluyole Warriors benched the Pride of Benue 2-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 1 clash at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasimgba, Ibadan.

    Afolabi Waheed’s brilliant goal in the 22nd minute and substitute, Sunday Faleye’s 66th goal proved adequate to hand the Ibadan landlords the  three points at stake in the hard fought clash.

    Amoo said his youngsters acquitted themselves handsomely but insisted it is not yet celebration time.

    “The players gave their very best in the encounter against a difficult side, Lobi Stars winning with two unreplied goals.

    “However, we cannot say we have arrived or start celebrating but I know we will continue to get better as the season progresses.

    “Lobi Stars are experienced and matured side equally gave good account of themselves, too in the encounter.

    “I think my players took good advantage of the early chance to score the match opener then got the icing on the cake if not the match would have been difficult for them to finish on high.

    “We are happy starting our campaign brilliantly we will take it further in subsequent matches,” said the former Sunshine Stars coach to supersport.com.

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will be the guests of Sunshine Stars in mid-week matchday 2 clash at the Akure Township Stadium.

  • Lobi to retain Uwua, others for new season, says Idoko

    Lobi to retain Uwua, others for new season, says Idoko

    Lobi Stars’ Vice Chairman, Mike Idoko has asserted that the Pride of Benue’s technical crew headed by Godwin Koko Uwua would lead the team in the coming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season to give continuity a chance.

    Idoko revealed that his first season in charge of Lobi was to build a solid team that would soon be the envy of all in the NPFL and that having placed fifth in his debut season, he is very optimistic that the Makurdi side would perform even better in the coming season.

    Idoko told Goal: “I want to confirm to you that coach Godwin Koko Uwua having led the team to fifth place finish at the end of the last season will still be the head coach next season and his assistant coaches will work with him. Last season was my first in the team and I did make it known that we are going to use it to build a new team.

    “We finished in fifth position at the end of last season and I am certain that if we are able to retain the technical crew and the major bulk of the coaches, we will do even better next season.”

    Idoko, however, affirmed that even though they are willing to retain most of the players that worked with them last season, any player that showed the willingness to move to another club won’t be hindered from pursuing his dreams if everything goes through the normal channel.

  • Lobi should be playing continental football, says Imenger

    Lobi should be playing continental football, says Imenger

    Lobi Stars deserve to play continental football, attacking midfielder Namen Imenger has said after his side’s 1-0 win over Enyimba on Sunday in a Match Day 34 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Imenger praised Lobi Stars’ teamwork on the day, as they heaped more misery on the  defending champions.

    “I think we did well today (Sunday), especially without the ball. We were aggressive, won the ball back quickly and kept possession, which is good for us. Lobi Stars is a club that should be playing continental football,” Imenger told Goal.

    “Football is a game of possibilities. We have the squad capable of picking any of the tickets to play in African club competitions in 2017. That means we have to redouble our efforts in our remaining matches.”

  • 10-man Lobi pip Rivers United 1-0

    10-man Lobi pip Rivers United 1-0

    Lobi Stars improved their lot on the NPFL log with crucial home win against Rivers United in Makurdi.

    10-man Pride of Benue defied the loss of their defender, Solomon Kwambe to a red card 20 minutes from time and a late penalty kick awarded their visitors, Rivers United to win 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium yesterday.

    Sunday Akleche got his side a goal up from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Rivers United’s skipper, Austin Festus was judged to have handled the ball in the vital area.  Kwambe received his matching orders three minutes later for a second bookable offence.

    Lobi thought they had the points in the bag before the centre referee spotted an infringement in the 18-yard box of the host after  Bunde Moses had palmed the ball.  Chukwunonso Okonkwo was unable to hit target as his effort cannoned off the post in the 90th minute of the match.

    The Makurdi side thus moved to second place on the log with 31 points from 19 matches.

    In other matches, FC IfeanyiUbah beat Niger Tornadoes 2-0 through two late goals but Kano Pillars held Plateau United to another goalless draw in Jos for the hosts’ sixth straight draws from seven matches.