Ikya Admits Promotion Setback, Sets Sights On Stronger Lobi Stars Revival

Chairman of Lobi Stars, Simon Terver Ikya, has acknowledged the club’s failure to secure promotion to Nigeria’s top flight this season, but insists that significant groundwork has been laid for a more formidable challenge in the campaign.

Speaking during an interactive session with sports journalists at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi, Ikya offered a candid assessment of the club’s recent struggles, attributing the stalled promotion bid to deep-rooted structural and technical issues inherited from previous management.

According to the chairman, he took charge of a side “built to fail”, plagued by imbalance, poor squad composition and lingering administrative complications. He pointed specifically to unresolved legal disputes dating back to the tenure of former coach, Abubakar Bala Muhammed, including costly rulings involving Coach Eugene Agagbe and former Super Eagles forward Daniel Amokachi, which have imposed financial liabilities running into tens of millions of naira.

Despite these setbacks, Ikya maintained that deliberate reforms have begun to stabilise the club. One of the most impactful decisions, he noted, was relocating the team back to Makurdi, a move that significantly reduced operational costs and restored a sense of identity. In addition, a previously bloated squad was restructured into more manageable units, fostering improved cohesion and competitiveness, as evidenced by a notable away victory during the campaign.

Responding to questions from journalists, Ikya expressed confidence that the club have weathered its initial turbulence. He highlighted ongoing structural improvements and a renewed focus on professionalism, while criticising a flawed wage system that saw fringe players earning more than regular starters.

“Football must be driven by merit, not sentiment,” Ikya stressed, signalling a shift towards performance-based management.

Speaking further on the lingering legal battles and squad size, Ikya revealed that challenges persist, recounting how the club’s team bus was seized on the eve of a crucial trip to Abuja due to an earlier court judgement that had not been communicated to his administration at the time.

Looking ahead, the chairman disclosed plans to streamline the squad to about 30 core players, supplemented by five youth prospects. He emphasised that only players capable of earning starting roles would be retained, as attention shifts to the President Federation Cup and preparations for the new season.

Encouragingly, Ikya confirmed growing corporate interest in the club, naming Norvus Bank and SWL as emerging partners. He called for broader support from stakeholders, urging the media and the Benue public to engage constructively rather than speculate.