Nigerian Football
Twinkling, shinning Remo Stars continue impressive run
Returnee to the Nigerian elite league division, Remo Stars continued their dream run as they overran Heartland of Owerri in their matchday 2 encounter at their lush green arena in Ikenne on Sunday.
They beat one of the powerhouses of Nigerian club football, 3-0 in a match the visitors were already two goals down within the opening five minutes.
Great thanks to the precision moves of lanky Andy Okpei who was a turn in the flesh of Heartland. He scored just under four minutes of the match.
The ovation that greeted the goal had hardly died when under a minute he had found the net again. By the 10th minute, he could have had a hat-trick but his flip narrowly missed.
As the match was getting to the closing minutes, Samuel Anakwe scored the third goal that now see the Remo Stars having six points, five goals and not conceding any.
Elsewhere in Ibadan, the Shooting Stars did not shine bright enough as they had to rally from a goal down to hold Akwa United 1-1.
Akwa United shot into the lead in the 29th minute through Utibe Achibong and the Uyo boys held on tenaciously to the lead until Ayo Adejubu leveled up to salvage a point for the ‘Oluyole Warriors’ who appear to be draw specialists this season.
They drew their opening match last weekend with Gombe United who also drew their match day 2 match, 1-1 away to Nasarawa United.
In Port Harcourt, the ‘Pride of Rivers’, Rivers United were truly at home as they overflow Katsina United 3-0.
In an Oriental clash, Enyimba scored a memorable win to give Finidi George, their coach an impressive run so far. The lone goal of the match was scored by Victor Mbaoma in the 88th minute of the match.
Abdullateef Abiola’s goal settled the scores as Wikki Tourists beat visiting Niger Tornadoes 1-0. After losing to Enyimba on matchday one, Abia Warriors redeemed themselves with a 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars.
For MFM who lost at home 2-0 to Remo Stars on matchday 1, they recorded another 2-0 loss this Sunday at Dakkada following goals from Aniekan Ekpe Okon and Musa Bashiru.
Plateau United had a fifth minute goal by Muhammad Zulkiilu to beat Kwara United 1-0. Kano Pillars were forced to a goalless draw in their home match with Lobi Stars
All the results
- Rivers United 3-0 Katsina
- Nasarawa 1-1 Gombe
- Remo Stars 3-0 Heartland
- Rangers 0-1 Enyimba
- Wikki Tourists 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
- Abia Warriors 1-0 Sunshine Stars
- Shooting Stars 1-1 Akwa United
- Dakkada 2-0 MFM
- Plateau United 1-0 KwaraKano Pillars 0-0 Lobi Stars
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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