4 years after, Lobi Stars to play home matches in Makurdi
After four years of nomadic life, Lobi Stars have received approval to play their home matches in Makurdi. The Nigeria National League (NNL) approved the McCarthy Stadium as venue for home matches of the former NPFL champions. The NNL management gave the provisional approval after recent inspections on the facilities which were deemed satisfactory. McCarthy […]
After four years of nomadic life, Lobi Stars have received approval to play their home matches in Makurdi.
The Nigeria National League (NNL) approved the McCarthy Stadium as venue for home matches of the former NPFL champions.
The NNL management gave the provisional approval after recent inspections on the facilities which were deemed satisfactory.
McCarthy Stadium is a 5,000 capacity facility located at the Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State.
While announcing the approval, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the League, Mr. Danlami Alanana, said mini-stadium now has minimum requirements that meet the League’s standard.
“For now we are impressed with the upgrade they have. We visited and have seen what they have.
“Recall the same venue was chosen for the opening match of the season but we changed that because they failed to put basic facilities in place. What they have now is better,” he stated.
However, the COO warned that the permission to use the McCarthy Stadium is provisional and can be withdrawn if the standard is not maintained, noting that the NNL will continue to monitor the facilities.
Lobi Stars played home away from home beginning from the 2022/2023 season when their traditional home ground the Aper Aku Stadium was banned by the NPFL for failing to meet international standards for professional league matches.
Consequently, they played their home matches at Jos, Lafia, Bauchi, Enugu and back to Lafia from where they are going back home.
By this latest development, Lobi Stars first home match in over four years will be against Doma United on Saturday, February 21, in MatchDay 9 of the NNL.