A former Nigerian international, Dominic Iorfa, has been re-appointed vice-chairman of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi.
This is following the resignation of the former vice-chairman, Emmanuel Tama Aondofa, on Monday, March 21.
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Tama’s resignation is not unconnected with the dismal performances of Lobi Stars which have left the club rooted at the base of the 2022 (NPFL) table.
Lobi Stars are presently second from bottom with a paltry 19 points out of a possible 45 points from 19 matches played in the first stanza of the league.
The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engineer Benson Abounu, who doubles as Chairman of Lobi Stars, accepted Tama’s resignation on behalf of the government and announced Iorfa as his replacement.
He also dissolved the Tama Aondofa led management committee to pave way for people with fresh ideas to come on board for the needed resurgence in the club’s performances.
Before now, the Deputy Governor had expressed disappointment that despite gulping over N37million monthly, the club is still struggling for life at the topflight of the Nigerian domestic league.
Consequently, he directed the former vice-chairman to win the NPFL Week 19 match against Enugu Rangers or face dire consequences.
Unfortunately, Lobi Stars travelled to Awka and were beaten 5-3 which left the embattled vice-chairman with no other option than to throw in the towel on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the new vice-chairman who led Lobi Stars to their first and only FA Cup triumph in 2003 when they defeated defunct Sharks of Port-Harcourt 2-0 in Kaduna has been mandated to rescue the club from relegation in the 2022 NPFL season.
Speaking to Daily Trust on his appointment, Iorfa said he was honoured by the confidence reposed in him by the state government.
He also called on all the relevant stakeholders to join hands with him to take Lobi Stars out of the woods.
“I thank the government for finding me worthy of this appointment. This assignment is a tough one but by the Special grace of God, I am not going to disappoint those who trusted me with the onerous task.
“Desperate times require desperate measures. I am going to swing into action immediately because this is familiar terrain for me. This is what I know how to do best.
“However, I can not do it alone. I, therefore, call on all genuine football stakeholders in Benue to contribute their quota for us to succeed in this rescue operation,” he said.
Iorfa was first appointed Lobi Stars vice-chairman in 2001 and was in the saddle for nearly 14 years, winning one Football Association (FA) Cup and playing in the finals of the same competition in 2005, 2012 and 2016.
He also led Lobi Stars to finish third in the 2012/2013 league season behind Kano Pillars and Rangers which fetched the club a CAF Confederation Cup ticket.
The former Super Eagles and Queens Park Rangers of England striker then stepped down from his position in 2016 after nearly 14 years to go down in history as one of the longest-serving club chairmen in Nigeria.
