NPFL: Remo Stars Claim Historic Nigeria Premier League Title
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Dramatic Victory Earns Remo Stars First League Title
Last Sunday, Remo Stars stepped out on their home patch at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, against the Niger Tornadoes with just one goal in mind, win the match to earn their first-ever league title.
The Sky Blue Stars entered the match as massive favourites according to most of the best online betting sites, owing to their excellent home record this season. Not only are they unbeaten at home this term, they had also kept five consecutive clean sheets heading into Sunday’s crucial showdown.
However, things did not go as planned in the first half, as Remo carved out several chances in the lead-up to the break, but the pressure seemed to get to them as they squandered their openings and went into halftime with the scores still level at 0-0.
In the second half, though, Daniel Ogunmodede’s team settled into their rhythm and six minutes before the final whistle, super-sub Olamilekan Adedayo stepped up to slot away the only goal of the game to give his side the win and guarantee them the title after back-to-back seasons of near-misses.
The triumph was a historic one, as the last time a privately-owned team won the Nigerian top-flight title was back in 2000, when Lagos-based Julius Berger achieved the same feat. Remo are now on 68 points, 10 ahead of second-placed Rivers United, meaning they cannot be caught regardless of the results from here on.
Winning the NPFL title also means that Ogunmodede’s side will be able to compete in the CAF Champions League next season, where they will be able to compete against the best teams from across Africa and show off the progress they have made on the continental stage.
With the title secured, the champions are now on their victory lap and will play out their final three games as a formality. Next up, they travel to face El Kanemi Warriors and Bayelsa United either side of their final home game of the season against Ikorodu City.
Ogunmodede Reflects on Sensational Title Victory
Following Remo Stars’ victory over the Niger Tornadoes, coach Ogunmodede revealed that despite his team’s impressive form this season, nerves and the pressure of expectation weighed hevavily on everyone involved with the team heading into the match.
However, he also explained that what got his team through was the same thing that brought them to the point of competing for the title - resilience! During his post-match press conference, Ogunmodede said:
“Like I’ve always told you, I’ve been talking about the resilience of these boys. It’s compared to nothing. We are resilient. My friend, even if it’s 90 minutes in, we know we are going to score. We believe we are going to score.”
The Remo boss also explained that the reason match-winner Olamilekan Adedayo had been left out of the starting lineup initially was due to an injury he was carrying, but he also mentioned that he had faith that the 23-year-old would have an impact once he was brought on.
After two decades of building and hard work, the Sky Blue Stars have finally reached the summit of Nigerian football, and now have the chance to enjoy the remainder of the season before the rebuild for their title defence commences.
