Nigerian Football

Remo Stars coach, Ogunbote optimistic of winning in Lagos…as NPFL returnee, Remo Stars aim for shinning start

Published

3 years ago

December 16, 2021

BY OLADIMEJI OSHODE

Head coach of Remo Stars of Ikenne, Gbenga Ogunbote has high expectations in the opening fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League which pitches his team against MFM.

He told the club’s media that he expected positive results. “The expectations are high and we will ensure that it doesn’t get over us. It is the first game and we will try as much as possible to manage the situation. All we need is a positive result.”

“My prayer is for us to get a positive result in Lagos because it will be a good start for me and the boys. It will be a tough game because any team that wants to play against my team always want to be extraordinary but that’s not withstanding, we will do our best.”

“My target for me this season is to finish in an appreciable position and most especially to ensure that the premier league status is kept.”

Remo Stars overcame MFM FC twice before this weekend’s encounter. First they came from behind to defeat to the Olukoya Boys 3-2 at the Dapo Abiodun Preseason Tournament.

They followed up with another defeat, 1-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne in the semifinals of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament before falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Olukoya Boys at the Legacy Pitch in Lagos.

This is going to be another interesting encounter between both sides in the opening fixtures of the NPFL.

Remo Stars will look to start this season right after engaging the services of one of the best coaches in Nigerian football, Gbenga Ogunbote.

Ogunbote also have experienced players such as Dayo Ojo, Stanley Okorom, Kamal Sikiru, Adebayo Abayomi, Ojukwu David, Akande Temitope and goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel among others.

The visitors will look to improve their opening games with a win after previously losing 2-1 to Plateau United in 2017 and a 1-1 draw with Bendel Insurance in 2019 both at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu.

Both sides have met four times in the top flight division having lost 1-0 to the Olukoya Boys three times and played a 1-1 draw in 2019 at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.

MFM will hope to continue their dominance over the Sky Blue Stars on Friday while a win or avoiding defeat will boost the Sky Blue Stars’ confidence going into the 2021/2022 NPFL season.

Nigerian Football

Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead

Published

6 days ago

September 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.

On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.

The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.

They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.

The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.

On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.

Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.

The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.

Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.