Nigeria’s representative in 2018/19 Total CAF Champions League, Lobi Stars have arrived Enugu, venue of Friday’s opening group stage game against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
The nominated Nigerian champions left their base in Makurdi, in the middle belt region of Nigeria for Enugu – which has hosted their continental games this season – this morning and arrived in the afternoon.
Lobi Stars, coached by Solomon Ogbeide reached the group stage after beating Kenyan side Gor Mahia at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu last month and will continue their participation in this year’s tournament on the same pitch which is also the home ground of Nigeria’s other continental representative – Rangers International in the Confederation Cup.
As we reported earlier, the Pride of Benue have acquired the services of former Enyimba stars Dare Ojo and Sunday Adetunji to bolster their ranks ahead of the group stage. The inclusion of the duo will be very vital for Lobi who are without three of their key components.
Team’s vice captain Anthony Agbaji as well as striking duo Samad Kadiri and Sikiru Alimi have travelled abroad in the hope of securing deals but midfielder Kelly Kester who sat out the decisive leg against Gor Mahia has fully recovered from the toe injury.
Friday’s match between Lobi Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns will kick off at 5:00pm Nigerian time at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and will be officiated by experienced Egyptian referee Ghead Zaglol Grisha.
