It is no longer news that one of the most formidable clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Lobi Stars of Makurdi, escaped relegation in the just concluded season by the whiskers. What may be news to some people is that it took the intervention of God and the experience, doggedness, resilience and shrewdness of Dominic Iorfa who was recalled on rescue mission for the ‘Pride of Benue’ to remain in the Nigerian topflight.
It could also be recalled that Lobi Stars, who paraded thoroughly demoralised players, were second to the last on the table at the end of the first stanza of the 2021/2022 NPFL season.
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Despite adequate funding by the government, Lobi Stars could boast of only 19 points in 19 matches to place 19th out of 20 clubs. They were sure candidates for relegation as even fans of the club became so disenchanted that the Aper Aku stadium appeared like a graveyard even on match days.
It was in such a state of near hopelessness that Governor Samuel Ortom recalled the former Nigerian international to come and rescue the club from relegation.
Considering the precarious situation Lobi Stars were in, only few people would have accepted such a hazardous assignment. But out of passion and patriotism, Iorfa accepted to take the bull by the horns.
On assumption of duty, he went straight into the fray as he quickly commenced the process of correcting the anomalies that were threatening to sink the club. With government support, the former board member of the NFF rebuilt bridges burnt by his predecessors, using his influence as a leading football administrator.
In addition, he appointed one of the seasoned coaches in the NPFL and reviewed upward match bonuses and allowances of the players all in a bid to revive the morale of the players which was at its lowest ebb.
Results of his pragmatic approaches were also immediate as, apart from fans trooping back to support their darling club, Lobi Stars didn’t lose any home match under Iorfa. Instead, the ‘Ortom boys’ won one and drew one away match at a critical time that clubs were doing everything possible to win all home matches.
Sadly, while Lobi Stars began to recover lost grounds, enemies of the club attempted in all ways possible to derail the redemption movement under Iorfa. Spurious and unsubstantiated allegations were levelled against him but he stood firm to accomplish the assignment given to him.
Unfortunately, instead of celebrating the courageous man who did the impossible, some die-hard enemies of the club are doing everything possible to incite the governor against him. But it is doubtful if Governor Ortom would succumb to pressure on him to bring back those who had recklessly plunged Lobi Stars into the mess that Iorfa has just finished cleaning.
It is said you don’t change a winning team. Therefore, no reason should be considered convincing enough for the government to listen to misleading voices or even contemplate taking a decision that will rubbish the survival of Lobi Stars.
Instead, the former international should be given all the necessary support by the government to assemble a crack squad that will not only compete in the NPFL next season but qualify to represent the country in the continent.
One false move and Lobi Stars will be back in the woods. A word is enough for the wise.
Terseer Maih wrote from Makurdi, Benue State
