• Enyimba, Remo Stars win, Insurance, Rivers draw
Former Super Eagles star, Dominic Iorfa, at the weekend stepped down as the helmsman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi. In a statement by the Technical Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Solomon Iorpev, in Makurdi, Dr Philip Nongu is now the new chairman of the club.
Though Iorfa was designated as the vice chairman of Lobi Stars, while Benue State Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, was the ceremonial chairman.
Iorfa, who played for the defunct BCC Lions of Gboko and Abiola Babes of Abeoluta in an illustrious career, handed over to the newly constituted board of the club in a brief ceremony in Makurdi following a directive by the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
Governor Alia also directed that Lobi Stars, which had enjoyed autonomous status, be brought under the Benue Sports Council. Other members of the newly constituted board are Chief Solomon Andiir, Harry Yachi, Francis Ejiga, Sir James Iorpuu and Dr Iorngulum Malu, who is the secretary. Lobi Stars will host Akwa United in their opening game of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League.
The league’s week one games were played across the country with former champions, Enyimba of Aba, thrashing Heartland of Owerri, led by former international, Emmanuel Amunike, 3-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
In other games, Kano Pillars beat newcomers, Ikorodu City, 3-0, Niger Tornadoes defeated Kwara United away from home in Ilorin 2-1, Sunshine Stars beat Bayelsa United 3-0, while Remo Stars of Ikenne got a 0-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Umuahia.
Bendel Insurance drew goalless with Rivers United in Benin, while Nasarawa United and Shooting Stars of Ibadan played out a 1-1 draw in Lafia.
Uko commends Governor Eno as Ibom Angels return to topflight
Coming on the heels of Super Eagles convincing 3-0 victory over Benin in Uyo on Saturday, Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development,
Monday Uko, has commended Governor Umoh Eno for aiding the state’s women’s team, Ibom Angels’ promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
Ibom Angels, yesterday in Calabar defeated Osun Babes 2-0 in a match that guaranteed their promotion.Ibom Angels, who were relegated from the elite division last season, arrived in the Calabar zonal play off involving 19 teams seeking to grab one of the only two promotion slots available. Playing in Group B1, Ibom Angels won all their four matches and capped it with yesterday’s victory over leaders of A2, Osun Babes.
“In a quick reaction, Uko said: “Give it to the governor. He made it possible. Nowhere in this country will you see a governor supporting four teams and that is our lot in Akwa Ibom.
“Akwa United, Dakkadda, Ibom Youth and Ibom Angels are well funded and supported and the evidence are the results that you are seeing,” he said. An elated Coach Edwin Okon corroborated the story: “In Calabar, we lacked nothing and that allowed us to concentrate. I thank his excellency for the enabling environment.”He also appreciated the sports commissioner and his girls for “putting smiles on the faces of Akwa Ibomites.”
