Lobi Stars, a prominent football club from Benue State, has officially been relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) after a 2-0 defeat to Kano Pillars in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. This marks the end of their 27-year tenure in the top-tier league, a period during which they have been a consistent presence in Nigerian football.
The relegation comes after a dismal season for Lobi Stars, who have struggled to find form, extending their winless streak to 13 games before their eventual relegation was confirmed. Despite efforts by new coach Tony Bulus to turn their fortunes around, the team remained rooted at the bottom of the table, ultimately succumbing to relegation with six matches still to play.
The club’s management had earlier announced plans to impose pay cuts on underperforming players, a move that was met with resistance from some team members. This internal strife, combined with on-field struggles, has contributed to the team’s downfall.
Lobi Stars’ relegation is a significant blow to their fans and the football community in Benue State, who had grown accustomed to seeing their team compete at the highest level. The club will now face the challenge of rebuilding and regrouping in the NNL, with the aim of securing promotion back to the NPFL in the future.
