Lobi Stars unveil new foreign head coach

Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi has unveiled a Finnish tactician, Mika Lönnström, as the new head coach of the club.

The club chairman, Philip Nongu, said at the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday in Makurdi that Lönnström was hired as part of measures to improve the performance of the club.

Nongu welcomed the new coach, saying his expertise and passion will undoubtedly elevate the team’s performance.

“We are here at this important event to introduce to the Benue community, the players, as well as sports journalists, the newly appointed head coach, Mr Lönnström.

“He will be working together with the other technical crew members with the needed intent of moving the club out of its current position as well as making it more competitive.

“The board is committed to repositioning the club under my watch. The current position of the club is just temporary, and I am optimistic the club will soon move away from the red zone,” he stated.

The chairman charged the players to be disciplined, stating it wouldn’t be business as usual.

He thanked Gov. Hyacinth Alia for finding them worthy to serve the state in this capacity.

James Iorpuu, a member of the board, congratulated the Finnish tactician on his appointment and assured him of the needed enabling environment that would help him to succeed.

He lauded Lönnström for accepting to work with the team and promised him that he would not regret making the move.

“The governor’s desire for sports, especially football, remains unwavering.

“His desire for Lobi Stars to be at the top competing at the highest level remains key to his administration,” he said.

The club’s technical adviser, Daniel Amokachi, expressed delight to have Lönnström under his technical crew, saying the club will experience positive development.

“Mika Lönnström is a man of pedigree; his working ethic will help us a lot. In modern football, you must have young players who would work tirelessly.

“I have identified good young players in the team, and we shall be working with them pending when the window of the league is open for other decisions,” he said.

Lönnström, in his remarks, expressed excitement to join the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side.

The new head coach said that he was honoured to be part of Lobi Stars’ rich history and expressed commitment to driving the team to success.