Lobi Stars vice chairman, Mike Idoko has stressed that they have dropped all issues relating to the match-fixing allegation they raised in the aftermath of their Caf Champions League group stage goalless draw with Wydad Casablanca after they had made their observations known to all and have now moved on to more important issues.
The Pride of Benue exited Africa’s club flagship competition after they were whitewashed 3-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on March 9 but they ended their campaign a positive note after they thumped ASEC Mimosas 2-0 at home at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Issues relating to the match-fixing allegation reared its ugly head after Mamelodi Sundowns stated that a proper investigation should be carried out last weekend.
The Brazilians were beaten 1-0 by Wydad Casablanca to finish below the Moroccans in Group A on the head-to-head rule. Both clubs ended the group stage with 10 points each from six games and the duo still progressed to the quarter-final stage.
Idoko noted that he and Lobi Stars have said what they needed to, that they don't like to be disturbed any further on it as they prepare fully for their return to the domestic league campaign where they have a rescheduled league match with Rivers United on Wednesday.
“I have been told about what Mamelodi Sundowns said regarding the match-fixing allegation and whatever steps they take is left for them because we have revealed all that was needed to when the issue was still raging and we have now moved on and are concentrating on our matches in the Nigerian league after our elimination,” Idoko told Goal.
“What else do you want me to say? I have made my point and after our exit we just want to remain low-key and play our outstanding league matches in peace as we work towards another ticket to the Caf Club competitions later this year. Our experience in the Caf Champions League has prepared us very well for the challenge at hand in the domestic league and we are up for it.
“We have made it known to Caf and the international community what we were told by our players who were told to sell the match to enable Wydad Casablanca to qualify easily for the quarter-final stage. It was an eyesore but we have left everything for posterity to judge. We won’t be saying anything on this again.”
Soon after Lobi Stars original allegation, Wydad Casablanca president Said Naciri strongly denied match-fixing in an exclusive interview with Goal.
Lobi Stars finished in third position in Group A with seven points from six games and they will now focus their attention on the domestic league campaign where they are currently eighth in Group A with 11 points from six games but with five matches in hand.
