It will surely have hurt Lobi Stars last season that they could not officially lift the Nigeria Professional Football League trophy, as the campaign was wrapped up prematurely, before they were officially named champions.
Their only reward was a berth in this season’s Caf Champions League, and they impressed in the continent, making it into the group phase.
However, it was going to be an almost impossible task to progress after being pitted with former African champions Wydad Casablanca, Mamelodi Sundowns and ASEC Mimosas.
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They finished bottom of the ‘Group of Death’, and while their continental commitments meant they had a backlog of outstanding fixtures in the NPFL to play, Lobi have made serious ground by adjusting to the catch-up.