Remo Stars will be the first one-man-owned club to win the NPFL title after an earlier feat by Udoji United. But there is a difference between Remo Stars’ exploits and those of Udoji United in 1996.

Remo Stars’ victory is untainted. They won even with three matches to spare. Their victory came directly from the green turf.

Not so for Udoji United, who became Nigeria’s champion, not on the pitch, but in the boardroom. The 1996 league, won by Udoji United, had a controversial end.

Clubs’ officials besieged the Nigeria Football Association secretariat with protests and appeals. On the field, Jasper United, after making a debut in the top division, could have been champions.

   When the final whistle was blown in the boardroom, Udoji United upstaged city rivals, Jasper United, to win the league in the NFA boardroom.

Sharks FC, who initially placed second and could have featured in the Abiola CAF Cup competition, lost out despite spirited attempts to remain afloat. A decision of the disciplinary committee, however, changed the face of the table.

   Udoji United, formerly in third position, protested that Concord FC, which held them to a goalless draw in the last league match, fielded two ineligible players.

   The NFA committee ruled that the players – Churchill Ibari and Louis Ebani – were not properly transferred to Concord FC.

The decision gave Udoji three valuable points and goals that became the league championship clincher.

In anticipation of a possible award of the league to Udoji United, Sharks, who initially placed second, decided to appeal against the throwing out of their Week 7 protest in a match which the club lost 0-3 to Gombe United. Had the appeal sailed through, Sharks FC could have won the league with 61 points.

Thus, Remo Stars can lay claim to being the first single-owner club to win the league in decades.

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No car will be parked on the premises of the Remo Stars Stadium on Sunday during the last home match of the season for Remo Stars as they host Ikorodu City.

The car park is set to turn into a carnival ground as an all-night party is in the offing to celebrate Remo Stars’ league victory.

According to the club in its X handle, this year’s league victory is the first of many to come. They have planned a big celebration as Shoday is billed to perform and thrill the crowd.

Remo Stars planned refreshments for the first 1,500 fans at the stadium. It will not just be football and entertainment, there will be freebies to be won.

They include a 55-inch Smart TV, return tickets on ValueJet airlines, as well as smartphones.

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All the matchday 37 fixtures will begin at 3 pm on the same day this Sunday. The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has directed a simultaneous Kick-off time of 3 pm for all the matches.

Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL,  Davidson Owumi said the directive is consistent with the policy of ensuring sporting fairness to all participating clubs.

“We earlier directed that for the trophy presentation ceremony in Ikenne, the fixture should kick off at 3 pm for safety reasons.

“After extensive assessment of all the fixtures which impact the outcome for continental slots and relegation survival, we resolved to set a uniform Kick-off time for all”, Owumi clarified.

Fixtures of Matchday 37 will be played on Sunday, May 11 at all centres, with the crown champions, Remo Stars, hosting the top three chasing Ikorodu City.  In Umuahia, another top-three chasing side, Abia Warriors, will host El-Kanemi Warriors.

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