SELF INFLICTED PROBLEMS OF LOBI STARS IN ABIDJAN

We are all aware that Nigeria’s Lobi Stars of Makurdi will be up against Asec Mimosa of Cote d’Ivoire today in their second group A match in the CAF Champions League.

What I am sure most of you don’t know is what I call SELF INFLICTED PROBLEMS that have bedevilled the team’s preparations ahead of the match which kicks of 5pm in Abidjan.

My source who is on ground in Abidjan has informed me that the camp of Lobi Stars is hit by crisis caused by poor management and leadership.

Check this out.

1. Lobi Stars’ jersey has been rejected by CAF officials in charge of the match. The team travelled with the wrong jersey.

2. Lobi Stars have contacted a Nigerian in Abidjan (a former player of the club) to help sew a jersey for them. So a new jersey has been sewn for Lobi stars. If you think the ’emergency jersey’ has solved the problem, read number 4.

3. Lobi Stars have no uniform casual wears in Abidjan. Some officials are said to have attended yesterday’s training in ‘Ganduje like dresses’.

4. Lobi Stars didn’t travel with CAF badges, training balls and kits provided for them. Now they have no badges to attach to their newly sewn jerseys. CAF is going to deduct 5000 dollars from their money for this breach of rules.

5. Lobi Stars yesterday attended pre-match meeting late and will be fined 5000 dollars.

6. Lobi Stars players arrived late for training yesterday and will be fined another 5000 dollars.

7. Lobi Stars players wore different jerseys in training and the team will be fined 5000 dollars.

8. Lobi Stars are in Abidjan with only four balls which will cost the team another 5000 dollars.

9. Lobi Stars Technical Adviser, Solomon Ogbeide refused to remove his puma branded cap during CAF organised interview and was to be fined 5000 dollars. He later complied.

9. Lobi Stars Technical Adviser and an official of the club are said to have enageged each other in physical combat over the rejected jerseys. He allegedly said if not for his respect for the late Coach Amodu Shaibu, he would have ‘finished’ the club official.

10. Lobi Stars are afraid to borrow CAF badges from Asec Mimosa for fear of ‘juju’.

These are the 10 travails of Lobi Stars in Abidjan as revealed to me by my source who wondered why the NPFL Champions have chosen to ridicule  themselves on the international scene.

We wait to see how Lobi Stars will put behind them this shabby preparation to pick a good result in Abidjan this evening.

While Lobi Stars won 2-1 at home against former champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in their first group A, Asec Mimosa lost 5-2 away at Wayad Casablanca.

Lobi stars no doubt have an uphill task today in Abidjan.

Victory is still possible for Lobi Stars for football is full of surprises.

Credit :  David Ngobua