Former Olympic Eagles and Lobi Stars right-back, John Lazarus, has shed light on why the Makurdi-based club failed to secure a continental ticket last season.

According to the defender, the team’s inability to play at their home ground, the Aper Aku Stadium, played a major impact on their performance.

John Lazarus stated that the club’s primary goal last season was to qualify for the continental competition but being forced to play away from their home stadium, stripped them of the opportunity and hindered their progress.

“Last season, we tried all we could just to make sure that we could play in a good position, maybe getting a continental ticket, but it was unfortunate that we could not make it.

“But I guess it’s a lesson for us to even work harder this season because, hopefully we’ll be playing in our stadium.”

“Hopefully this season we’ll be able to play in our home ground and massive support will be there.

“So we believe the coming season, things will be good. Hopefully in two to three months’ time, it will be completed, maybe three to four matches away, then the fifth match will be on our home ground by God’s grace.“