NPFL 25: Lobi Stars Management Accuse Players For Match Fixing

NPFL 25: Lobi Stars Management Accuse Players For Match Fixing

Precious Oham

The management of relegation-bound Lobi Stars has accused their players of match-fixing allegations in the ongoing 2024/2025 NPFL season, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

A statement by the Office of the Director of Media, Lobi Stars, alleged that the players orchestrated the recent attack to garner sympathy from the public. The statement reads:

"The Office of the Director of Media, Lobi Stars Football Club, has been made aware of a trending news report and video on various social media platforms, alleging that players of Lobi Stars Football Club were attacked by cultists at their training ground.

 "The Office of the Director of Media, Lobi Stars Football Club, wishes to categorically state that no cultist attack occurred on any player of the Club during training.

 "The true story is that during the match against Abia Warriors, there was clear evidence of foul play, suggesting that the match was compromised.

 "The Board and Management subsequently decided to hold a meeting on Monday, 31 March 2025, to investigate the matter of match-fixing, as there was video evidence.

 "However, the players, sensing that the meeting may implicate some of them and result in sanctions, allegedly orchestrated a staged cultist attack to garner sympathy, which has been somewhat effective.

"Instead of discussing the Abia Warriors match and the suspected foul play, the Monday meeting was hijacked, and the players were appeased.

 "It appears that the so-called cultist attack was orchestrated by enemies of the club to discredit Dr. Philip Nongu-led Board and the Government of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, which has been supportive of Lobi Stars Football Club.

"A closer examination of the circulating video of the attack reveals a poorly executed stunt that does not reflect a genuine cultist attack on players.

"The question remains: who was quick to report the incident on social media? It is likely those who have been opposed to Dr. Philip Nongu-led Board since his appointment and have vowed to see the club relegated.

"Why would the chairman of the Club orchestrate an attack on players when he could simply impose sanctions?

"It appears that there is a cabal within Lobi Stars working with external forces to ensure the club's relegation.

"Notably, the team has not won any matches in the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

 "Now that the management has set aside the issue of foul play against Abia Warriors and apologized, we await how they will approach their remaining matches.

"In conclusion, the so-called cultist attack was staged to avoid punitive measures, and the players are aware of their actions and those of their external collaborators. It is time to reveal the truth."