LOBI STARS SUSPEND TECHNICAL ADVISER BALA MOHAMMED OVER POOR RESULTS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Interim Management Committee of Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi, has suspended the team’s Technical Adviser, Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed, over what it described as unsatisfactory performance.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the club’s Director of Media and Communications, Emmanuel Uja, following an emergency management meeting held in Makurdi.

According to the statement, the suspension takes immediate effect and is indefinite. Bala Mohammed has also been directed to hand over his duties to the club’s Chief Coach, John Onuh, popularly known as Abacha.

“The Interim Management Committee of Lobi Stars Football Club rose from an emergency management meeting today and ordered the indefinite suspension of the Technical Adviser, Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed,” the statement read.

“The management cited poor performance as the reason for the suspension, having played six matches, earned only seven points out of a possible 18, and currently placed sixth out of eight clubs on the log.”

The committee further directed that the suspended coach hand over all responsibilities to Chief Coach John Onuh with immediate effect, pending further decisions by the club’s management.

Bala Mohammed was appointed as Technical Adviser in August ahead of the new season of the Nigeria Nationwide League. His appointment followed Lobi Stars’ relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League, with the mandate to rebuild the team and secure a swift return to the top flight.

However, the club’s inconsistent start to the season appears to have fallen short of management’s expectations, prompting the swift action.

Lobi Stars, one of Nigeria’s traditionally strong football sides, have in recent years struggled to maintain stability, both on and off the pitch, with supporters increasingly calling for improved results and a clear promotion push.

The club has yet to announce whether a substantive replacement will be appointed or if Onuh will remain in charge on an interim basis.