Stephen Eze (first from right) is one of the outstanding players from Lobi Stars' developmental project (Lobi Stars Feeders)
With a modest squad and a shoe-string budget, 2003 Cup champions and 2012 runners-up, Lobi Stars, have reached back-to-back semifinals in the Federation Cup.
A 3-1 victory over Sharks took the “Pride of Benue” into the last four in 2012 and a 2-1 victory over giant-killing Akwa Starlets ensured the club remained in the race.
Youth team product, Victor Obinna Jnr, chose the right time to put his name in the cup folklore when he rose to connect a well-tailored pull out from Super Eagles fringe star, Ezekiel Bassey to halt the fairytale of the Starlets.
A well-built nursery at the Lobi Stars Feeders, orchestrated by former Queens Park Rangers and Galatasaray forward, Dominic Iorfa, has turned out to be the conveyor belt for the production of youngsters.
Other graduates of the Lobi Stars Feeders include goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai, who easily moved in-between-sticks with the exit of John Lawrence and his assistant, Daniel Atsaka.
Former under-20 star, Moses Orkuma, Stephen Eze, Emmanuel Ajia, as well as Al-Ittihad Tripoli star, Tony Okpotu, who scored some goals before joining his new club are graduates of the club’s developmental team which campaigns in the amateur class.
“Obinna has done well since he was promoted to the first team,” Iorfa said to supersport.com
Okpotu has since entered the history books as the club’s first homegrown talent to play abroad.
With the height of a basketball player, Eze has been transformed from a top flight rookie into an intelligent central defender.
Eze, who missed the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, is clearly the club’s revelation this season.
“I’m living the dream. It’s my first time in the elite class and I’ve learnt a lot. My target is to play in the final and win the Federation Cup,” Eze said to supersport.com.
Continuity
No fewer than five stars, who were in the line-up during the 2012 Cup final against Heartland exited the team on the eve of the season.
Inspirational midfielder, David Tyavkase, Jonah Abutu, Lobi Stars Feeder graduate Luther Iorhe, Tony Abawula and Lawrence headed for greener pastures.
However, the experience of Super Eagles Fringe defender, Ezekiel Bassey, Anthony Agbaji, skipper Terna Ikpeen, Eseosa Igbinoba and former Enyimba star, Chimaobi Nwaogu, have helped the younger players.
New man in the Dug-Out
Iorfa has since moved out of the dug-out, while Evans Ogenyi, who is no stranger to the Federation Cup, now has the task of completing the cup story.
Interestingly, Ogenyi not only won the former Coca-Cola FA Cup with defunct Ocean Boys in 2008, but also defeated Enyimba in the semifinals.
However, to achieve back-to-back presence in the cup final, Lobi must overcome a rejuvenated Enyimba side that is in a hurry to return to its glory days from 2001 through) 2006.
Ogenyi is not unaware of this fact and is ready to achieve another cup target.
Cup History
2003: Champions
2005: Runner Up
2012: Runner Up
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