Nigerian Football
Remo Stars aim to continue their dream run
BY OLAMIDEJI OSHODE
Rave of the moment, Remo Stars of Ikenne will be attempting to build on their spectacular dream start in the Nigerian Professional Football League as they host Heartland of Owerri in their lush green home turf on Sunday.
The newly promoted top division side exceeded all expectations as they beat home boys, MFM to become the first male side to win a match at the rebuilt Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
Akanni Qudus and Andy Okpe scored to give the Sky Blue Stars the needed victory in that encounter.
Remo Stars will hope to continue their unbeaten home record dating back to their moments in the Nigeria National League, NNL since moving to their stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
The visitors, Heartland FC will want a quick response back to full potentials after playing a 3-3 draw against Nasarawa United at home last Sunday.
The Naze Millionaires rallied late to grind out a point thanks to Ikenna Stephen, Chukwudi Nwaodu and Chinedu Ohanachom who saved them from embarrassing home defeat.
The last time both sides met was in a friendly that ended 0-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium on the 9th of December, 2020.
The host will push to get a victory against Heartland FC just to build their confidence in the NPFL and to get a top spot on the table after matchday two in the league.
A win for the Sky Blue Stars will also help the team get their first win at home in their NPFL history after previously losing 1-2 to Plateau United in 2017 and playing out a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance in 2019.
Remo will also hope to make another history with a win which will be their first back to back victories in the NPFL.
As a build-up to Sunday’s match, Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote remarked that his team will try to build on the away victory they recorded in the opening fixture and noted that his average young team that is also young in experience in the NPFL will strife to consolidate on the victory in Lagos.
“Remo Stars are young in the NPFL system and all we need is to consolidate on the victory we had in Lagos against MFM FC.”
“No doubt we are going to push to get a victory and we will be happy to get another important win against Heartland FC on Sunday. We pray that Almighty God crown our efforts with success which is the maximum points against the visitors.”
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.
CAF president Motsepe slams expanded FIFA Club World Cup
Anthony Joshua seeks world title and redemption against Dubois
Beckenbauer to have street named after him near Munich’s Allianz Arena
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
AFCON1 week agoAustin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week agoRwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
AFCON1 week agoPresent and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup1 week agoEnyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs
-
AFCON4 days agoLibya sacks coach ahead of AFCON qualifying back-to-back matches with Nigeria
-
CAF Champions League1 week agoEnugu Rangers in slim CAF Champions League win over Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca
-
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL1 week agoFalconets crash out from U-20 Women’s World Cup
-
Governing Bodies6 days agoStorm in CAF over proposed statutes amendments