The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lobi

  • Lobi appreciates Okpotu despite defeat

    Lobi appreciates Okpotu despite defeat

    Lobi stars Anthony Okpotu who is set to begin a new experience with Libyan side Al-Ittihad had a memorable run despite Lobi stars 2-1 loss to ABS at the Ilorin Township stadium Sunday

    Okpotu, who is a product of the Lobi Stars youth program was acknowledged by the club after he was replaced by Hamza Sani in the course of the match.

    “Tony Okpotu completes his job as a Lobi Stars player today. Out for Hamza Sani” the club dished out on twitter

    The Makurdi based side had eyes set on pulling a draw especially after Nanen Barnabas Imenger scored to leave score line at 2-1, but failed to realise the dream.

    Okpotu who is leaving behind the record of being the first player from the Lobi Stars youth system to make a transition overseas has continued to get lot of prayer from both club officials and players alike wish him a good run in his new club and urge him to fly the flag of the club as its worthy ambassador.

    Club Vice Chairman and former international, Dominic Iorfa who recently confirmed Okpotu’s move, is optimistic he will excel.

  • Lobi seek to turn table in Ilorin

    Lobi seek to turn table in Ilorin

    For league fans who will be storming Ilorin the Kwara state Capital today for the tie between ABS and Lobi Stars, the question will be, can ABS re-enact the feat they achieved at about this time last season when they hit the Makurdi based side 2-1, or will Lobi who are currently having a good run in the Federation Cup turn the table with ease.

    With Lobi Vice Chairman Dominic Iorfa’ recent warning to opponents in both the league and FA Cup to prepare for battle royal whenever the face Lobi, soccer fans are sure to witness fireworks at Ilorin.

    The Makurdi landlords qualification for the semi finals of the FA cup where they will face two time CAf Champions league side Enyimba, has further warmed them into the hearts of their teeming fans who are likely to turn out in large numbers today.

    Although a few soccer fans attempted to predict possible result many prefere to wait and see which way the pendulum will swing.

  • Federation Cup: Lobi hit Enugu Tuesday

    Federation Cup: Lobi hit Enugu Tuesday

    Players and officials of Lobi Stars are expected in Enugu on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s Federation Cup quarter final clash with Akwa Starlets.

    The coach Evans Ogenyi-tutored side qualified for the round of 8 after defeating ABS of Ilorin on penalty shoot-outs in the round 16 while Akwa Starlets piped Rangers 2-1 in the round 16 to set up a clash with Markurdi-based side.

    A club official told SportingLife that about 22 players are expected to make the trip to the Coal City tomorrow.

    “The players are in high spirits and ready for the match. We respect Akwa Starlets because they have been a surprise team of the tournament this year. They have edged out some top clubs in the ongoing competition and we don’t want to take the game with levity.

    “We have warned the players against complacency because underrating Akwa Starlets will spell doom for our team. We want to go there and ensure we play to win,” the official said.

    SportingLife also gathered that the Markurdi-based side are planning to storm Enugu with a full contingent of supporters. It was revealed by the club’s officials that more than three hundred fans will cheer the team to victory on Wednesday.

    “We are thinking of about 300 supporters to make the trip. We have fans from Katsina Ala, Gboko, Markurdi as well as our fans from other local governments in the state. The Federation Cup is now a priority for players, officials and our fans.”

  • Lobi in close camping for MFM

    Lobi in close camping for MFM

    Lobi Stars on Friday entered close camping at their refurbished McCarthy Stadium, Makurdi ahead of their 2013 Federation Cup Round of 32 tie at Nnewi, Anambra State on Wednesday against National League side, Moutain of Fire Ministries(MFM).

    Lobi have not had it too good in the Glo Premier League this season and even lost 3-4 at home to Bayelsa United during their last league match at Katsina Ala.

    With a tie against MFM in the offing, Lobi’s chief coach, Evans Ogenyi who will be making his managerial bow for the Makurdi side has stressed that his boys would go all out to record a win which he reckons will spark a revival in the club.

    He warned his players against underrating their opponents since the Lagos based team have proved to be an impressive side in the lower league this term.

    Ogenyi, who won the same competition with defunct Ocean Boys in 2008, claimed his is poised for his first baptism of fire as Lobi’s gaffer for a record third time.

    “Federation Cup is a knockout/ all comers affairs with no second chance again this year. So we must be prepared and ready for them if we want to carry the day,” the former Enyimba coach told SportingLife.

     

  • Lobi appoint Ogenyi as chief coach

    Lobi appoint Ogenyi as chief coach

    • Iorfa gets reduced role

    Evan Ogenyi has been appointed as chief coach of Lobi Stars with immediate effect, a top official of the club has told SportingLife. This will be his third stint with Lobi.

    Ogenyi was with Lobi in 2007 and 2010 and steered them away from the relegation zone before leaving the Makurdi-based side for Enyimba of Aba. From there, he moved on to Jigawa Golden Stars.

    The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the club, Dominic Mtem Iorfa, who revealed the shake up in the technical crew setup to SportingLife, said he would be restricting his role to administrative duties while Ogenyi is now in charge of coaching at the club.

    “I am pleased to inform you that Lobi Stars have signed Evan Ogenyi as Chief Coach and it is with immediate effect. He is to take full charge of the technical crew while I will fully concentrate more on administrative duties.

    “I don’t want anything to hinder the progress of the club. I feel I have not been around fully due to my recent trips outside the country. I don’t want to breed unnecessary tension around the players. So, I shall reduce my role to administrative while still hoping to offer useful tips anytime I deem fit.

    “Ogenyi takes over the technical crew as chief coach with immediate effect and I believe with his wealth of experience, Lobi will bounce back in style this league season,” Iorfa said.

    Ogenyi guided Ocean Boys to an FA Cup victory in 2008 and he was chief coach and second in command to then Enyimba gaffer Okey Emordi when the Aba Millionaires reached the semi finals of the CAF Champions League in 2011. The club only lost a match enroute to their 1-0 aggregate semi final loss to Wydad Athletic of Morocco.

    The Benue State-born coach has also worked with Nasarawa United and Jigawa Golden Stars.

    His first task would be to lift the club off its 18th position on the log with 26 points from 21 games.

     

  • Lobi will bounce back, says Iorfa

    Lobi will bounce back, says Iorfa

    LOBI STARS Technical Adviser, Dominic Iorfa, insists the club have no reason to be embarrassed by their Globacom Premier League 4-3 defeat to Bayelsa United on Sunday.

    The Markurdi-based side was on the verge of picking a point in the seven-goal thriller when they came back from 3-1 down to draw level at 3-3. But Uche Ihuarulam did the damage when he scored the winner for Bayelsa United in the 95th minute to earn coach Ladan Bosso-tutored side three points at stake in the match.

    Iorfa took time to encourage the players during their training session on Monday morning, urging them not to allow the loss to demoralize them.

    The ex-international remained positive that the club will bounce back into wining way when the league resume.

    “We played well but luck was not in our side. We need to tell the players to accept the defeat and put that behind them. Bayelsa United tie has come and gone and we should not dwell much on that. Although, we have to critically assess what happened during the game but we should remain determined and focussed.

    “If Bayelsa United can come and beat us in Katsina-Ala that means we can go away to secure victory as well. I am still positive that we will get our points back. Mind you, we got three draws in the first round against Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars and Gombe United. We can still repeat the same in the second stanza.

    “It is football and it has happened to any club. It has happened to big clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Manchester United and so on,” Iorfa said.

  • LOBI STARS TRIALS: Over 20 players storm Makurdi camp

    LOBI STARS TRIALS: Over 20 players storm Makurdi camp

    More than twenty new players arrived Lobi Stars training camp at the Maccdhy stadium, Markurdi for trials on Monday, it has learnt.

    A club official told SportingLife that the club was amazed with the eagerness shown by the players during the training session yesterday.

    The Markurdi-based side, which made top-four finish last season, wrapped up the first stanza of the ongoing Globacom Premier League on 12th position.

    SportingLife understands that the club is trying to secure the services of five experienced players to improve on the team’s position on the league table.

    “Every player wanted to play for Lobi Stars. I can tell you that more than twenty players came to our training camp for trials on Monday. You can see the seriousness in them. But it is a pity that we can’t pick more than five.

    “The club still hopeful that we can repeat the feat achieved last season. We want to create competition in the team by signing players in all departments. We want to add force to our attack, bring in goalkeeper with additional one or two creative midfielders,” a source said.

    “This is the second stanza and we can’t afford to fail. This is the only chance to make amend and we have to use it wisely. We want experienced and established players. I think by this week Friday we should round up the training and pick the best five among them.”

  • Lobi Stars face Sunshine Saturday

    Lobi Stars face Sunshine Saturday

    : Sharks, Bayelsa Utd clash toda

    Lobi Stars FC of Markurdi will engage Sunshine Stars of Akure in a pre-season friendly game on Saturday at the Katsina Ala Stadium in Benue State.

    The match is one of the tune-up matches lined up for the team ahead of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kick of date slated for March 9.

    The club’s coordinator Ganiyu Adeleke disclosed this to SportingLife yesterday.

    Adeleke said the club management is doing everything humanly possible to see that the players are fully fit for the season.

    The Dominic Iorfa-led side last Friday defeated Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 3-1 in another friendly encounter.

    “The team is working hard ahead of the forthcoming season. We’ve been trying to keep the players fit with series of friendly matches. We have strong belief that we will be ready for the league kick-off,” Adeleke said.

    Meanwhile, Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt will test their readiness for the new season with a tune up game against Bayelsa United at the Liberation stadium by 3pm today.

  • Okpotu eager for title with Lobi

    Okpotu eager for title with Lobi

    LOBI STARS forward Tony Okpotu has revealed desire to help his club to at least one title next season.

    Lobi were in the league and Cup double towards the end of last season but had their dream shattered with their Federation Cup final defeat to Heartland in Lagos which came barely a week after they lost conceded the league title to Kano Pillars following the expulsion of Ocean Boys.

    However, Okpotu said there is a renewed belief among the team that they can go some steps higher in their achievement next term.

    ” I have put the disappointment of last season behind because we thought we really have a good chance to win at least one trophy but in the end,we did not win anything. – We are disappointed but we have to put that behind us and stay positive.

    ” I’m looking forward to a better season and with the way we are looking ahead for next season, I’m sure we will win one of the trophies part.”