Lobi Stars appoint Bala Nikyu as head coach for 2026/27 NNL campaign

Posted : 01 July 2026

Lobi Stars Football Club have appointed experienced tactician Bala Nikyu as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, with the mandate of leading the club back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Nikyu was officially unveiled on Tuesday at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi during a ceremony attended by the club's management, technical crew, players, staff, and members of the media.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Lobi Stars, Simon Terver Ikya, described the appointment as a significant step in the club's rebuilding process following relegation from the NPFL.

He said Nikyu's vast experience in Nigerian football and proven ability to secure promotion made him the ideal choice to lead the Pride of Benue back to the top flight.

Ikya also expressed appreciation to the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his continued support of the club, assuring that the management remains committed to restoring Lobi Stars' status among Nigeria's elite clubs.

Nikyu arrives in Makurdi with an impressive coaching pedigree, having guided Nasarawa United to promotion to the NPFL during the 2023/2024 season. The CAF A Licence holder pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by delivering positive results.

"I am fully committed to this responsibility. Our goal is to build a team that the people of Benue will be proud of and work tirelessly to return Lobi Stars to the NPFL," Nikyu said.

He added that discipline, hard work, and consistent performances would form the foundation of his philosophy, insisting that the team's achievements on the pitch would be the true measure of success.

During the media briefing, Chairman Ikya disclosed that the club has retained 17 players from last season's squad, while plans are underway to recruit additional quality players to strengthen the team ahead of the new campaign.

He urged players, officials, and supporters to unite behind the new coach as the club pursues its objective of securing immediate promotion to the NPFL.

Club Secretary Terzungwe Chugh also called on the coaching crew and backroom staff to work in harmony, expressing confidence that the new technical team possesses the capacity to return Lobi Stars to Nigeria's top-flight league.

The ceremony concluded with the official signing of Nikyu's contract and his formal presentation to the players, management, and staff, marking the beginning of a new era for the Makurdi-based club.

The appointment of Bala Nikyu signals a clear and ambitious direction for Lobi Stars as they navigate their way through the second tier of Nigerian football. With structural backing from the management and an experienced tactician at the helm, the club has established a firm foundation for the upcoming campaign. The collective unity of the squad, staff, and supporters will be critical as the Pride of Benue targets an immediate return to the elite division.

Lobi Stars appoint Bala Nikyu as head coach for 2026/27 NNL campaign

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