Lobi Stars clear debts to ex coach, retain NNL slot

Lobi Stars clear debts to ex coach, retain NNL slot

The new management of Lobi Stars of Makurdi has saved the Benue State and the people embarrassment of not playing in the Nigeria National League (NNL) to which the club was relegated to last season.

Within two weeks of assumption of office, the new management board led by Simon Ikya, has settled the arbitration award against the club over the debt owed former coach, Eugene Agagbe.

According to a statement signed by the club’s media officer, Austin Tyowua, Lobi Stars can now freely exercise their statutory and professional rights to obtain their registration licences and transfer players in line with the Framework of the League and Statutes of Nigeria Football Federation.

On February 28, 2025, Nigeria Football Federal (NFF) Arbitration Committee sat on a petition filed by Coach Agagbe against Lobi Stars Football club for breach of contract.

‎The committee found Lobi Stars guilty and a compensation of N31.5 million was slammed on the club in favour of the coach Agagbe and a fine of N550, 000 in favour of NFF. Lobi Stars were given 45 days to pay Agagbe the said sum in not more than three instalments and the fine to NFF within the same period.

‎The decision was not complied with, after the grace period and particularly on June 17, 2025 and a ban on registration and transfer of players was placed on Lobi Stars, a situation that persisted till the Dr Nongu led board was dissolved.

“‎Within two weeks of Simon Ikya led Interim Management Committee in the saddle, the arbitration decisions against Lobi Stars, which includes the N31.5 million, N550, 000 fine and all other forms of indebtedness have been complied with and the ban on registration and transfer of player is now lifted,” Tyowua stated.

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