According to the General Coordinator of the tournament Patrick Ngwaogu, the invited teams have started confirming their participation and readiness for the tournament.

Ngwaogu who was the immediate past Abia Warriors FC Sporting Director said teams like Nasarawa United who were runners up in last year’s edition have confirmed their participation, Lobi Stars have also confirmed, City FC, Wikki Tourists, EFCC, Like-Minds FC and Mailantarki have all confirmed their participation and readiness to be part of the tournament.

The former First Vice Chairman of FCT Football Association said within the week, teams like Rangers, Abia Warriors, Akwa United, Niger Tornadoes, Doma and Gombe Utd will all confirm their participations to enable the organizers finalize all logistics arrangements.

Ngwaogu promised that the kits and media partners of the tournament will be announced within the week.

The Unity Preseason Tournament is aimed at providing teams the opportunity to adequately prepare for the new football season. Plateau United are the defending champions.

Organizers of the Optima Energy Gold Cup have informed that the 10th edition of the nation’s most prestigious preseason tournament for clubs in the domestic leagues will kick off on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

Organizers of the Optima Energy Gold Cup have informed that Remo Stars will begin the defence of its title, as the 10th edition of the nation’s most prestigious preseason tournament for clubs in the domestic leagues kicks off on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

Organizers of the Optima Energy Gold Cup have informed that Remo Stars will begin its title defence, as the 10th edition of the nation’s prestigious preseason tournament for clubs in the domestic leagues kicks off on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

Tunde Shamsudeen, General Coordinator of the tourney told Optima Energy Gold Cup Media: “We want to use this medium to thank the over 30 different clubs, which cuts across the three tiers of our league that have taken part in the Ogunjobi Gold Cup (now Optima Energy Gold Cup).

” The tournament inception in 2012, has proven to be the best platform for teams to prepare themselves extensively against tough teams, to know their strengths, drawbacks and proffer solutions to them before going into the season.

“Also the Optima Energy Gold Cup over the years has been part of some club’s success stories from former NPFL champions Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, MFM FC, Niger Tornadoes, FC Ebedei and now Remo Stars.

” It’s on record that one or two teams that participate in the yearly tourney either end up winning the NPFL title, qualify for the CAF inter-club tournament or gain promotion.

“As we set the ball rolling for this year’s edition, it promises to be an exciting one for the 10 teams that will be looking forward to taking part and indeed fans.

“All necessary arrangement and logistics has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free tourney as there will be much fanfare and activation.

“The tourney will be co-hosted respectively at the Remo Stars Stadium and FC Ebedei Stadium in Ikenne and Sagamu.

“Official correspondence (invitation letters) has been sent to intending clubs in the three tiers of our domestic leagues, Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO).

” Ten (10) teams are to participate in the 10-day soccer fiesta that will begin on Thursday, September 22 and climax on Independence Day, October 1, 2022.

“Teams will be grouped into two groups of A and B with five (5) teams each, and are expected to play four (4) group matches with two (2) teams with the highest number of points qualifying for the semi-finals.

Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars FC Dominic Iorfa has cried out over plans by some detractors of the club, mostly members of the past Managements to work against the survival struggle of the North Central club to escape relegation. 

This is coming on the heels of a court order to seize the club’s official bus during their training session in Makurdi Friday ahead of the crucial match against Dakkada FC in Makurdi on Sunday. 

The court had ordered the seizure of Lobi stars bus owing to the accumulated debts owed by previous Managements to hoteliers and other parties.

The Lobi stars boss alleged that it was a ground plan hatched by some top members of the past Managements of the club who are desperate to see the club go down to the relegation waters despite government efforts and huge support to the team.

According to him ” I was given the mandate by the governor to rescue the team from troubled waters and we are doing everything possible by the grace of God to do the assignment, but those who put the club in this mess are working against us” he cried out. 

He continued ” Lobi stars is the symbol of the state and the people of Benue state will not be happy to see the team relegated, Iam ready to offer my best to rescue the team but all these blackmail and distractions are not good at this crucial and critical stage” 

“If the club could succeed in the previous administrations, then the club must not die in the hands of Gov. Ortom who has done massively well in supporting the club financially, I won’t allow that to happen ” he assured.

“Before I took over this assignment, the immediate past Management played 19 matches and got only 19 points out of possible 57 points and placed on 19th bottom position, but today by the grace of God and with the huge support of the state government, Supporters, fans and the entire team we have played 15 matches, garnered 24 points and placed joint 12th position on the Log with 4 matches to go, God will see us through ” he prayed.

He warned the detractors not to take his patience for granted because he refused to probe them on assumption of office, stressing that he would be forced to activate all the relevant means to set up a probe panel to unearth their untoward stewardship in the club.

The League Management Company (LMC) rescheduled the game for Wednesday 22nd June 2022 at New Jos Stadium. This is to play the second half of the game so that the tie would be concluded as the league proceeds into the home stretch.

Because of this and its potential effects, the best attention should be given to the match.

The officials are;

CR: Yemisi Akintoye (LG)
AR1: Safyanu Bazza (AD)
AR2: Abibat Yusuf (RV)
RR: Musa Isiyaku (JG)

The game is the cynosure of all eyes and should be given utmost attention and efforts must be made to make sure there are no controversies in any form, even officiating – which must be fair.

It would be recalled that some clubs have resorted to desperate moves to win games at all cost. These teams put referees under pressure whether they are playing at home or away. We have seen such scenarios in Katsina, Makurdi and Bauchi.

Tornadoes and Lobi Stars are close to each other on the log. Hence, fairness should be the keyword.

All eyes are on the league organisers to make this game work so that no one complains in the end, to preserve the credibility of the competition and it’s authenticity.

Adams Jesse

Umm Salal SC of Qatar midfielder, Moses Okurma has revealed that it was his act of giving back to the society that prompted him into hosting the annual Unity Football Tournament in his hometown of Gboko in Benue State.

Moses Orkuma started his footballing career in Abaya Babes in Gboko, Benue state before moving Aspire (now defunct).

The Moses Orkuma Unity Football Competition is in its 5th edition as this year’s edition is expected to run from May 14th to June 14th 2022 in the great City of Gboko in Benue State.

Orkuma said ”youth development is key in the building of a great nation, so each time I look back to how it all started for me, I see how difficult it could be for the average child out there”.

“It has been difficult navigating all through these years as a player, I cannot just overlook the impact of my community because if it can produce me, it can produce another set of generation who will end up featuring for this great country, the ex US Monastir Star stated”.

Moses Orkuma who has played for the Flying Eagles of Nigeria on 14 occasions rounded up by saying he believes he can give the younger generation of players hope in the round leather game.

“It is my prayer that I will continue to give the younger generation of players the hope to excel in football, He concluded”.

Kano Pillars FC U-15 side have progressed to the quarter-final stage of the NPFL Laliga U-15 Youth League currently holding in Ikenne, Ogun State, with both ValueJet and MTN playing pivotal roles as competition sponsor and elite partners respectively.

Bashir Muhammad brightened Pillars’ hopes of qualification when he gave the Sai Masu Gida side the lead in the first half, creating a scare for MFM FC who earlier booked their qualification to the next round, with 6 points from the first two games.

Two second half goals from Idris Khamis and Shamsudeen Mohammed sealed the victory for Kano lads, leaving MFM FC’s fate hanging in the balance, at least, until after the group decider between Lobi Stars FC and Plateau United FC.

In his post-match reaction the MFM FC, Adesina Mustapha stated that: “We only had a bad day in the office today, I know this is not how we play even on the average. I guess the boys actually became reluctant and loss of focus set in, probably as a result of the fact that we’ve already amassed 6 points from our first two games.

The match between Plateau United FC and Lobi Stars was meant to decide who joins Kano Pillars as the runners up to the quarter-finals from the group.

Lobi Stars FC had to play for nothing but pride after losing their first two games in the competition while Plateau United needed a victory by any margin to stake a claim for a quarter-final ticket.

The young lads from Jos considered two quick goals from Lobi Stars via some expensive goalkeeping errors and a second half consolation was not enough to see them through.

It was a battle of supremacy between Shooting Stars and Katsina United FC to determine the group winners, as both of them were tied on the same points going into the last group games of the competition.

After a barren first half that was characterized by physical abilities and individual skills from both teams, Katrina United took the lead through Kasimu Abdullahi’s strike from 30 yards out, but with about two minutes left to play in regulation time, Samuel Ajayi drew his side level with a swift volley that rendered the goalkeeper helpless.

The coach of shooting stars U-15 side had the following to say during the post-match press briefing: “We gave the match our best and I had faith in the boys that they would deliver because we had a decent preparation coming into this competition.”

Speaking after his side’s lone goal triumph against Lobi Stars in a MatchDay 25 fixture played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday, Ayeni confessed that he was overwhelmed by the outcome of his first six games. He praised his players for maintaining a high degree of consistency and being focused. 

“We are happy with the result, but I still maintain that the team is still a work in progress. We are not there yet. In the situation we have found ourselves, the fans desire more, and we must do our best to meet their aspirations. I think we can assess the team better after matchday 30”, he said. 

Ayeni, who joined the Promise Keepers in mid-season, has not suffered a defeat since the MatchDay 20 draw at home to Rivers United, with the 6-1 bashing of Nasarawa United top of the list of results he has amassed for the Uyo side since taking over from Kennedy Boboye. 

Bello Babatunde’s stunning effort from the edge of the area in 37 minutes was all Akwa United needed to see off Lobi Stars of Makurdi. Despite dominating possession for most of the second half, Lobi Stars could not secure the equalizer that could have put them level on points with Dakkada FC and Abia Warriors. 

The result propelled Akwa United to 5th on the log, pending the outcome of Sunshine Stars’ date away to Kano Pillars in Abuja. Lobi is two points above the relegation zone but could end the MatchDay in the drop zone if Kano Pillars and Heartland FC win their respective fixtures on Monday. 

With title-chasing Rivers United and Plateau United not in action until Thursday, the spotlight shifted to the downside of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) standings where several teams continued the fight for another stint in the elite division.

Katsina United, on19th position before the start of Matchday 24 actions, shrugged off a stubborn Shooting Stars to record a 3-1 win that helps their fight to avoid relegation this season. Madaki Alkali Dauda had opened the scoring for Katsina United in the 34th minute, but Sochima Elum restored parity after he met a loose ball with a sweet strike in the 53rd minute. However, the Chanji Boys regained their lead after Dauda converted a 59th-minute penalty kick while Aliyu Musa’s goal in the 91st minute secured a vital win that lifts the hosts to the 17th spot.
In Makurdi, Endurance Ebedebiri put Lobi Stars ahead against Gombe United on the stroke of half time while Chinonso Okonkwo doubled the lead from the penalty spot on the hour mark. AlAmeen AlAmeen came off the bench to half the deficit for the visitors in the 76th minute but Lobi Stars held on for their first win in four games, and a climb to the 16th position.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars turned out in style to grab their first ever win over Dakkada in the NPFL. Following a 33rd-minute opener from Tolulope Ojo, the visitors gave a scare by drawing level through Dan Etido’s effort six minutes later. However, the Sky Blue Stars showed class in the second half as goals from Qudus Akanni, Andy Okpe, and Sikiru Alimi earned the hosts a 4-1 win and another charge on a qualification for a CAF spot next season.

Kwara United’s up and down form continued as Abia Warriors forced a 1-1 draw in Ilorin. Samuel Tiza had broken the deadlock few seconds before the half time, but Valentine Odoh’s goal, ten minutes into the second half, earned the visitors their fifth away point of the season.
The push of Rangers Internationals for a continental tournament next season was dented by a 2-1 defeat against Niger Tornadoes. Goals by Segun Alebiosu and Musa Wakili in the 33rd and 82nd minutes respectively sandwiched Kenechukwu Agu’s equalizer on the hour mark.
The remaining five fixtures for Matchday 24 will hold across different centres on Thursday.

NPFL Matchday24 Results (Wednesday)
Lobi Stars 2-1 Gombe United
Katsina United 3-1 Shooting Stars
Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Enugu Rangers
Kwara United 1-1 Abia Warriors
Remo Stars 4-1 Dakkada FC

Thursday’s fixtures
Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United
Akwa United vs Nasarawa United
MFM FC vs Wikki Tourists
Heartland FC vs Plateau United
Enyimba International vs Kano Pillars

Still basking in the euphoria of the 2-0 drubbing of high-flying Enugu Rangers Int’l last Sunday at the Aper Aku Stadium, Lobi Stars have moved with the victorious spirit into the city of Port-Harcourt to challenge table toppers Rivers United for the maximum points in the re-arranged MatchDay 21 of the 2021/2022 NPFL season on Thursday April 7, 2022 at the Adokie Amesiamaka Stadium.

Lobi Stars Match-day 21 opponents, Rivers United who have been at the summit of the table for several weeks are inarguably in imperious form and can easily send shivers down the spines of their opponents.

With 43 points from 20 matches, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ have enjoyed an unbeaten run since MatchDay 12 after their only defeat of the season in the current season which came against Plateau United in Jos.

However, even as Lobi Stars may be seen to be coming into the contest with a not too impressive record of a lowly 22 points from 20 games, leaving them one step below the red line after the MatchDay 21 games that took place on Wednesday, April 6, they can be spurred on by the convincing 2-0 victory over Enugu Rangers last Sunday.

With former international, Dominic Iorfa, back in the saddle as the Vice-chairman/CEO, a new wave of optimism is oozing in the camp of Lobi Stars so the ‘Ortom boys’ can’t be dismissed with a wave of the hand even if the odds are heavily against them.

Moreover, on all time Head-to-Head, Lobi Stars are standing taller than their opponents, having engaged Rivers United 23 times with 12 wins and 3 draws, leaving the garden city boys with only 8 wins.

Out of the 23 games, Lobi Stars scored 27 times averaging 1.7 goals against Rivers United who managed to score 22 times, with an average of 0.96 goal per game, a deficit of 5 in goals scored and 4 in number of matches won.

But on current form, Rivers United have performed better than Lobi Stars as they have not lost any game in their last 5 outings, winning 3 with 2 draws while their MatchDay 21 opponents just woke up from slumber to record their first win over Enugu Rangers in five matches .

The Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars, Baba Ganaru, while speaking to the Club’s Media Crew, expressed confidence that something positive will come out of the potentially explosive clash with Rivers United.

“Every match is a different game and has a different approach. I am aware of the set objectives of the club. We are in a precarious position and to move out, we will have to be picking home and away points.

“It is not going to be easy but if my boys will maintain the fighting spirit they showed against Rangers last Sunday, we won’t return to Makurdi empty handed,” said the former El-Kanemi Warriors technical adviser.

A combination of motivation and zeal in the camp of Lobi Stars is at play and can make a whole difference against Rivers United in this encounter, all things being equal.

Austin Tyowua
Lobi Stars Media
08033771180