Friday 23 August 2013

Lobi Stars in relegation battle

Lobi Stars centre-back, Anthony Agbaji has said his side have redirected their attention towards doing well in the ongoing 2012/13 Glo Premier League season.

The Makurdi-based side were on Wednesday dumped 0-1 by Enyimba in the semifinal of the 2013 Federation Cup at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Super Eagles striker, Ifeanyi Ede's lone strike was enough to cement the Enyimba's place in the final of the annual football fiesta coming up in Lagos on September 15.

Lobi Stars questioned the goal by Enyimba claiming the referee made bad calls and refused them several penalty appeals.

Agbaji said after his side's elimination in the Federation Cup in the hands of Enyimba that they have no choice than to fight hard to overcome the poor fortune that has befallen Lobi Stars in the league where they are placed bottom of the standings.

“Of course, we never asked for the questionable officiating that characterised our Federation Cup semifinal defeat in the hands of Enyimba. We had a great dream of going ahead to play in the final and make amend for the lapses that cheated us from winning the encounter against Heartland in 2012.

“Unfortunately, everything has ended a mere dream but life must go on as we have the league to fall back on and see what we can salvage from the precarious position we see ourselves at the moment.

“Ordinarily, the incident that saw us off from the Federation Cup is enough to kill every appetite in us to raise a hand of defence but we just realised that under no circumstance should Lobi Stars go down relegated.

“It’s a vow we’ve taken upon ourselves and we’re bound to work harder to put behind us the ugly memory of our ouster from the Federation Cup.

“Our position in the league table is a misrepresentation of the strength of the side and we must work hard to reposition the side and claim our rightful place,” said the Lobi Stars strongman to supersport.com.

Currently, Lobi Stars occupy the 20th spot in the 20-team league log on 32 points and will host troubled Heartland in this weekend's Glo Premier League Matchday 27 tie at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina-Ala.

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