McCarthy Stadium to host NNL Matchday 9 as Benue fans welcome their team back home.
After four years on the road, Lobi Stars are finally back where they belong, Makurdi.
The pride of Benue will officially resume home matches on Saturday, February 21, 2026, when they face league leaders Doma United in a Nigeria National League (NNL) 2025/2026 Matchday 9 fixture at McCarthy Stadium, Makurdi.
For supporters, it marks the end of a long and emotional wait.
The club had spent the past four seasons playing away from home, adopting neutral grounds for league fixtures. Now, with approval secured and minimum requirements met, Lobi Stars will once again enjoy the familiarity and advantage of their traditional base.
The emphasis, stakeholders say, should not be on the aesthetics of the stadium but on the significance of the moment the restoration of home support and identity.
Fans across Benue State have been urged to turn out in numbers and make it a date with their team. The return eliminates the need for supporters to travel long distances to watch matches, while the players are expected to benefit from the morale boost that comes with playing before a passionate home crowd.
Observers note that home support remains a critical factor in league football, often providing psychological and competitive advantage.
The development has been widely linked to the intervention of Governor Hyacinth Alia, who is credited with making resources available to facilitate the club’s return.
Commendations have also gone to Simon Terver Ikya for what insiders describe as persistent efforts to overcome hurdles that delayed the move back to Makurdi.
Saturday’s clash against table-toppers Doma United is expected to test Lobi’s resolve and perhaps signal the beginning of a new chapter for the Benue side.
For the fans, however, one thing is certain: Lobi Stars are home again.
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