As the NPFL winds to a close with 6 games to go and Lobi Stars chances of a continental ticket nose-diving to a brick wall, the Makurdi based club has ignited a hope alive focus on Aiteo Cup 2021.
The stage is all set here Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in the Imo state capital at the Dan Anyian stadium Owerri as Lobi Stars unveil their vernomous arsenal to undo gutty Bayelsa United in the round of 16.
Though the Bayelsans have never appeared as a weakling at all given opportunities they have to contend with Lobi Stars. Their brief stint as an NPFL Club testified to the fact, having played about 5 NPFL games with a show of even strength, sharing 2 wins each with a draw in between, the last which is six years ago. The only clash of the 2 clubs in recent times was the Governor Nyesom Wike Pre-season Tournament last year in Portharcourt when they emerged the only club that beat the Ortom boys when they both met in the semi-finals of the tournament.
The upset of eliminating the 6-time champions Rangers Int’l and last year’s defeat in the Gov Wike Pre-season Tournament combined to serve as a wake-up call that Bayelsa United can not be taken for granted and not really threatening to Lobi Stars.
Speaking to Lobi Stars Media, Coach Kabiru Dogo has this to say; we are here in Owerri for nothing short of victory in order to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2021 Aiteo Cup but at the same time not looking down on the opponents irrespective of their status as an NNL Club. We will go all out to crush their wits convincingly.
