Nigerian Football
After the victory euphoria, the real lessons – the story of Kunle Soname and his Remo Stars
BY YOMI OPAKUNLE
Enigmatic Kunle Soname and his Remo Stars FC (a privately owned football club) most recently won the 2024/25 season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Cup.
It is the first club from Ogun State to win Nigeria’s Premier League, since creation of the State and in so doing lifting the erstwhile sleepy town of Ikenne from where revered late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo SAN hailed from just like himself, to global recognition for the greatest sport on earth – football – Ikenne gone global, if you ask me. Yes o, the euphoria of this victory has been deservedly very loud. But beyond the victory are several lessons of visionary sure-footedness by Soname, worth scrutinising and emulating, for replication nationwide.
‘Little by little, said a thoughtful lad; Moment by moment, I shall improve…‘ (Source: Anonymous)
The real deal is the various lessons of success nuggets practically demonstrated by my dear brother, Hon. Kunle Soname, the proprietor in this ‘long’ journey to well-earned victory…
■ Remo Stars did not suddenly or accidentally become NPFL Champions. The club was third three seasons ago and second two seasons ago as well as second again last season! – lessons of painstaking hard work and focus on the club’s vision as consciously envisioned by Hon. Soname.
■ Same Remo Stars, since its establishment, had achieved promotion to the NPFL more than twice and been relegated to the lower league twice, only to bounce back to the NPFL diadem eventually! – lessons of never say die spirit & eyes on the ball, no matter how long, i.e. ‘Never admit failure, until you’ve made your last attempt; but Never your last attempt, until you’ve succeeded.’ So, keep on trying to try….
■ The club started by hiring infrastructure at home in Ogun State, but now owns massive global-standard infrastructure in the state! Lessons of ‘from little seeds grow big Oak trees’ & little beginnings should never be a barrier to great achievements.
■ 1 Club at start, 3 clubs now (Remo Stars Ladies inclusive)! Lessons in incremental growth, & prudent reinvestment strategy laced with focused patience.
■ ‘Unsung/unassuming’ hardworking, focused Chief Coach handling the club for some years now – Ogumodede, deservedly getting national recognition via appointment as one of the Assistant Coaches of our premium national team, the Super Eagles.
No be mistake o! Lessons of faith and belief of Hon. Soname in the talents/abilities/potentials of his coach, trusting that giving him time would lead to a glorious tomorrow that has become today.
Soname had watched from close quarters the potential in Ogunmodede as Assistant Coach to a couple of past Chief Coaches of the team and decidedly allowed him to be in full charge as the Chief Coach about five years ago. See what his unshaken faith in the talents of the young man has crystallised to…
■ Unshaken belief in the youth! Just check the average age of his players – he even has an academy (Beyond Limits) that is doing well in the immediate lower Nigeria Pro League and deliberately structured to serve as a feeder team to Remo Stars – intentionality & deliberateness
■ Sustainability/Financial capability! Unlike many previous privately owned clubs which get financially challenged as time gets by, Proprietor who deliberately rather than luckily owns Bet 9ja, must have dedicated a reasonable percentage of ROI from Bet Naija/proceeds from some player transfers/other businesses (including a Portuguese second division team he is the majority owner of) to the pursuit of his well thought out sports business vision, not expecting immediate returns but assured of a certain successful tomorrow that has come to fore.
Lessons: Financial intelligence + continuous search for knowledge/self-development, with a team of workforce he invests in their development and gives opportunity to flourish, if they can.
■ Street Wise Soname!
Unknown to many, Soname became streetwise early in life and was even a time-time Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA (very grassroots of public service governance), becoming a huge success.
Believe me, he was even ready to integrate this his ‘now coming to fruition’ vision, into his home State vision to impact more people statewide (provided a PPP model allowing the vision to blossom was agreeable to the government) back then.
He was even ready to accept the Vice Chairmanship of State-owned Gateway FC back in time in 2011 to jumpstart the dream, but in the wisdom of the then Governor, there would be a conflict of interest, he noted, and so he didn’t approve. I know, because I was SA at the Ministry of Youth & Sports back then and was involved.
By then, now blossoming Bet9ja hadn’t even come to the public scene for him, but he trudged on surefootedly with great determination and today, the rest is history. Lessons: Nigeria is full of God’s special blessings, and once we continue to seek His special grace and painstakingly remain focused, hardworking but patiently wait for His blessings, our dreams can come true..
Conclusively, this is to salute/celebrate Hon. Kunle Soname, my dear brother and President of Remo Stars Group, who is a whole lesson in successful ‘sportstrepreneurship’, for this hugely and fittingly deserving achievement, divinely thrust on him on his 59th birthday.
Congratulations to Soname (+ his entire group) & toast-toast. 🥂
YOMI OPAKUNLE, a veteran sports journalist, writes in from Ifako-Gbagada Lagos.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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