Nigerian Football
Nigerian league pace-setter, Remo Stars set to consolidate at Nnewi
Nigeria Professional Fotball League leaders, Remo Stars will square off against Rangers International on Wednesday afternoon looking for the victory required to maintain their top spot.
The Sky Blue Stars make a trip to the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi to take on the flying antelopes in Matchday Eight.
While the Remo Stars head into the contest on top of the league table, Rangers International are third on the log with three points behind league leaders, Remo Stars.
Dayo Ojo helped Remo Stars pick the maximum points against Abia Warriors in the 62nd minute after his strike crept into the back of the net of the opponents.
Meanwhile, Rangers are still basking the euphoria of their last game which they emphatically defeated Heartland by 3-0.
Julius Ikechukwu put the Antelopes in front of the 26th minute, Christian Nnaji doubled the lead in the 55th minute before Shedrack Asiegbu sealed the victory for them.
The Wednesday encounter will be the fifth meeting between both sides, with the Rangers having edged out the Sky Blue Stars twice out of four meetings.
In 2017, Remo Stars held Rangers International to a 1-1 draw at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium after Ekene Awazie cancelled out Daniel Etor lead in the 51st minute.
The Sky Blue Stars were defeated 2-1 at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu after Bobby Clement scored a brace in the twentieth and 53rd minutes before Akeem Taiwo reduced the deficit five minutes later.
When Remo Stars returned to the NPFL in 2019, they played out a 0-0 draw against Rangers International at the Gateway International Stadium.
The reverse fixture saw the Sky Blue Stars taste one of the highest defeat in the club’s history after the Flying Antelopes beat Remo Stars 5-2 at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu.
Late Ifeanyi George scored a brace in that encounter with other goals from Godwin Aguda, Ibrahim Ajani and Michael Uchebo.
Bright Akpojuwowo and an own goal from Ezeh Chidera reduced the deficit for the Sky Blue Stars.
The Sky Blue Stars will be looking to continue their unbeaten run with Dayo Ojo, Junior Nduka, Andy Okpe, Samuel Anakwe, Sunday Williams, Ifegwu Ojukwu and Kayode Bankole all available for this match.
The visitors will have to be wary of former Rivers United forward, Martin Ossy who currently have 4 goals to his name, Augustine Agu Kenechukwu, Shedrack Aseigbu, Tope Olusesi, John Ikechukwu and former Remo Stars player, Eso Archibong.
A win for the visitors will make it the third away win for them with victories against MFM and Wikki Tourists, a draw for the visitors is also welcomed but a defeat definitely put a stop to their unbeaten record in the ongoing NPFL.
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.
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.”
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 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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