The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lobi

  • Lobi Stars recall Imenger

    Lobi Stars recall Imenger

    Premier League side, Lobi Stars have recalled Nigerian international, Nanen Imenger from Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars.

    Imenger initially joined Pillars a loan deal till the end of the season back in May, but returns to fortify the Makurdi side ahead of the second round.

    Supersport.com equally learnt Imenger’s presence will provide more options for club boss, Justin Tenger, ahead of the 2015 Federation Cup clash against giant-killing non-league outfit, BJ Foundation.

    Imenger was registered for the Federation Cup and has a chance to continue the competition with Lobi.

    “It’s a good development considering his quality”, club captain, Terna Ikpeen told supersport.com.

    Imenger had his first training with the rest of the squad yesterday morning.

    After scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists in his first spell, which lasted for one-and-a-half-year, Imenger returns for his second spell at the club.

  • Giant killers BJ Foundation face Lobi

    Giant killers BJ Foundation face Lobi

    Giant killers BJ Foundation will battle Nigeria premier league side Lobi Stars next month for a place in the last four of the 2015 Federation Cup.

    Lobi almost exited the cup competition before they edged past Remo Stars 5-3 via penalties after the game ended 1-1.

    They will face a bigger test against non-league Benin City-based team BJ Foundation, who beat highly-fancied Heartland in the round of 16.

    There are two all-premier league clashes in the last eight – El Kanemi vs Enugu Rangers and Nasarawa United vs FC IfeanyiUbah.

    Akwa United will take on Niger Tornadoes in another match-up in the last eight.

    The quarter final will take place on August 12 and 13.

  • Lobi fight back against Pillars in 6-goal thriller

    Lobi Stars staged a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down against champions Kano Pillars to draw 3-3 at home on Sunday in a Nigeria league fixture.

    Pillars now have 27 points from 19 games, while Lobi have 21 points.

    Adamu Hassan was the hero for Pillars as he scored a brace. He broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. He completed his brace with an assist from Isaac Hele.

    Anthony Agbaji made it 3-0 for the visitors when he turned Ezekiel Mbah’s cross into his own net for an own goal in the 50th minute.

    Two minutes later, Akleche Enokela pulled one back for Lobi Stars following a mix-up in the Pillars defence.

    Pillars were cruising home to their second away win of the season, when Tony Okpotu made it 3-3 for Lobi.

    Pillars only away win of the season was a 1-0 victory at Abia Warriors in Week 9.

    In the 76th minute, Pillars goalkeeper John Lawrence saved a penalty taken by Lobi Stars goalkeeper Terkaa Melai after Okpotu was fouled inside the 18-yard.

  • Adeleke: Lobi won’t stumble at home again

    Adeleke: Lobi won’t stumble at home again

    Lobi Stars have assured that there won’t be further slips in their home games this season as they prepare to play against Sunshine Stars  in a Glo Premier League Week 16 tie on Sunday.

    The Pride of Benue have drawn their four home matches at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi but have won the last three home matches as well .

    Ahead of their opponents visit, Coordinator of the club, AbdulGaniyu Adeleke told SportingLife that the players would battle till the very end as they aim for another home victory.

    ‘We are hoping to continue our recent good form at home and before long we will extend this to our away games too. We won’t boast about what we are going to do during the match but I am convinced that the players will rise up to the occasion,” Adeleke said.

    Lobi Stars are 14th on the log with 16 points from 15 games while Sunshine Stars who topping the table with 29 points.

  • Chikatara wants win at Lobi

    Chikatara wants win at Lobi

    Nigerian top flight top scorer and Abia Warriors’ marksman, Chisom Chikatara has passionately pleaded with teammates to win for him at Lobi Stars. Chikatara is held down by ankle injury from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 14 clash on Sunday at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi. “I did not travel with my teammates for the clash at Lobi Stars on Sunday, I’m still nursing an ankle injury. “I actually managed myself in the last home match against Akwa United. I’m advised to stay back on the Lobi Stars clash to avoid aggravating the injury but I’m there with them in spirit. “However,before my teammates departed for the clash I pleaded with them to win for me the match at Lobi Stars. “I know it will be a difficult game but I received the assurance from my teammates that they will not lose the match. “So I’m positive we will get something decent from the encounter that will still put us on good stead for the title challenge,” said Chikatara to supersport.com. The seven-goal hero said he is assiduously working very hard to emerge top scorer at the end of the ongoing league season. “Of course, I’m interested in emerging top scorer of the ongoing season, I just hope and pray that the ankle injury will not hinder me from achieving the goal. “I’m quite certain to increase my goal tally if I had the opportunity to feature in Sunday’s clash at Lobi Stars. “I believe with good health and God’s grace I will be on the right path to achieve the lofty dream,” said Chikatara. Abia Warriors are ninth on the 20-team top flight log on 19 points from possible 39 in the 13-week old league.

  • Edum, Maduabuchi add to Lobi injury list

    Edum, Maduabuchi add to Lobi injury list

     

    Cyril Edum and Josiah Maduabuchi have become the latest Lobi Stars players to suffer injuries.

    SportingLife learnt that the players picked up the injuries during their league encounter against Shooting Stars Sport Club (3SC) at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The club’s doctor Chris Ayom told SportingLife that Edum adds to Lobi injury crisis with arm string injury and he will be out of action for four weeks while Maduabuchi will return to active football after two weeks.

    The duo of Edum and Maduabuchi joined the like of Ukeyima Akombo, Uche Ihuarulam, Osia Felix, Valentine Ifeachinachi and Tsafa Terpase on the injury list.

    Ayom said the players have been placed on drugs and would be given enough time to recuperate.

    “In the game of football you can’t rule out things like this. Although, it is not our prayer that our players should get injury but we have to accept it and move on.

    “They have been given enough time to rest and they are undergoing treatment too. I believe they will come back very strong. We really missed them all,” Ayom told SportingLife.

    The Team Manager, Banabas Imenger has commended the players for their hard-earned away draw against Kwara United on Sunday in Ilorin, kwara State.

    “It is a well deserved result. Our players fought like Trojans. We were able to withstand all artilleries thrown at us by our opponent. Our marking and positioning was superb and our equaliser off a corner kick was world class,” Imenger said.

  • Lobi claim first victory of the season

    Lobi claim first victory of the season

    Lobi Stars picked up their first win of the Nigerian Premier League season with a slim 1-0 win over Heartland FC.

    As early as the 10th minute two chances went begging for the home side with Akleche Enokela firing over the bar and Josiah Maduabuchi weak header was easily gathered.

    Heartland got the first shot on target with Fred Okwara bringing out a smart save from returning Lobi Stars first choice goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai, who punched clear for a corner.

    The Makurdi-based side, who were searching for their first win of the season, got the lucky break in the 19th minute when new signing Abdulrahman Bashir gave them the lead.

    Bashir missed out on a chance to score a brace as the former ABS and Enyimba forward missed a glorious chance shooting wide with the net at his mercy five minutes to the half time break.

    Bright Ejike came close to drawing Heartland level in the second half just as Josiah Madaubuchi also wasted a clear chance to increase his side lead.

    The joy of picking up their first win made the crowd at the Aper Aku stadium wild at the blast of the final whistle.

  • Lobi eye win on Aper Aku turf

    Lobi eye win on Aper Aku turf

    Lobi Stars central defender, Anthony  Agbaji has said his side are poised to announce with resounding victory the return of league matches at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

    The Pride of Benue have been playing their home matches at adopted ground, Emmanuel Atoung Stadium, Katsina Ala.

    However, last Saturday marked the official opening ceremony of the edifice in Makurdi with a ceremonial clash against Nigeria’s Olympic team, Dream Team V1.

    Lobi Stars will, however, host Enyimba in a rescheduled Glo Premier League match day 2 clash today in Makurdi.

    Agbaji said though the clash against Enyimba will be difficult they will strive to win to earn the respect and support of their fans on the new ground.

    “Of course, it won’t count the 1-3 loss to Nigeria’s Under-23 team during the ceremonial opening match of the stadium in the league clash against Enyimba on Wednesday.

    “The Glo Premier League tie is quite a different clash compared with the ceremonial game against the Dream Team V1. We’re going to put up a good performance against Enyimba, at least, to impress it on our people that we’re capable of taking any side in the league.

    “I can assure you that it’ll be total victory against Enyimba to mark our return to the home ground, Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. We never played our league match on the ground so we want to win the first clash on the pitch to win the confidence of the teeming supporters.

    “We’re not under any illusion that the encounter will be cheap but we’ve one ambition to win our first match on the new home ground,” said Agbaji to supersport.com.

     

  • Taraba United snatch Bivan from Lobi

    Taraba United snatch Bivan from Lobi

    Allnigeriasoccer.com  understands that Nigeria Professional Football League campaigners Taraba United have snapped up Emmanuel Bivan from demoted Gombe United.

    Following the demotion of Gombe United to the second tier at the end of the 2014 season, one thing was clear: he was going to seek pastures new ahead of the upcoming season.

    Lobi Stars had been in contact with the defensive midfielder over a move to Makurdi, but club supremo Tijani Babangida used his persuasion skills to lure him to Taraba United instead.

    Bivan has been training with Taraba United since last week.

    He previously sported the jerseys of Kano Pillars and Kaduna United plus famous nursery team El-Cruzero.

  • Lobi unveil squad players for 2014/2015 season

    Lobi unveil squad players for 2014/2015 season

    Lobi Stars have named a crack team for the 2014/2015 Premier League season.

    The club’s Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger told SportingLife that the Suswam Boys are seriously preparing for the league season opener against Bayelsa United and have registered the players they intend using for the start of the season.

    He listed the goalkeepers as: Terkaa Melai, Edet Eteka and Ekoli Agbor. He also said Lobi Stars have capable players in defence and they are: Ikpeen Terna, Bunde Moses, Anthony Agbaji, Felix Osia, Samson Gbadebo, Shehu Nasiru, Edum Cyril, Anyaefiema Ifesinachi.

    He also said that Joseph Essien, Douglas Achiv, Etche Idakwo, Khoya Edward and Emmanuel Ajia are the midfielders in the team.

    Imeneger listed the attackers as Nanen Imenger, Ukeyima Akombo, Uche Ihurualam, John Paul, Tsafa Terpase, Imo Uche, Umar Famous, Peter Onoja, Ngomo Mougaol Fabric, John Aodongogu, Arinze Obioma and Ifeanyi Jonah.