Nigerian Football
Remo Stars hope to continue unbeaten run in the Nigerian League
Remo Stars are hoping to extend their unbeaten streak in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as they play hosts to Plateau United.
The tie between the Sky Blue Stars and the Peace Boys is scheduled to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State by 4pm.
While the home side with eight points currently occupy first position in the standings, Plateau United are placed in eighth spot with six points after just two wins from their last four fixtures.
Remo Stars picked another point on the road after their first maximum points in Lagos in the first game of the NPFL season with Samuel Anakwe getting his second goal of the season against Dakkada FC after Muritala Lawal had earlier put the host on front in the 12th minute in Uyo.
Plateau United on the other hand, got an emphatic 3-0 victory over Heartland FC at the New Jos Stadium with goals from Jesse Akila, Chimezie Izuchukwu and Mohammed Zuikifilu.
The host will be hopeful that sensational Andy Okpe get back his goalscoring form and to see Ifeanyi Ojukwu and Abdullahi Oyedele fit to compete against the Peace Boys on Sunday.
The Sky Blue Stars have a host of players to call upon if the injured players aren’t back before Sunday with the likes of Ibrahim Yusuf, Dada Oladimeji and Edugbeke Andrew will be looking to grab their chances in weekend’s encounter against Plateau United if called upon by the gaffer.
Remo Stars will have to be wary of the likes of Elisha Golbe and Daniel Itodo who were part of the players that grabbed the maximum victory against Remo Stars in Matchday One of the NPFL played in 2017 at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu.
Other players that need to be looked at going into that game against Plateau United are Ruben Bala, Charles Henlong and Jimmy Ambrose who have enough experience in the top tier of Nigeria Football.
Both sides have met only twice and that was in 2017 when Kim John and Elisha Golbe goals ensured they got the maximum points against the Sky Blue Stars, Victor Mbaoma scored his first ever NPFL goal for the host in the 42nd minute but it wasn’t enough for them to pick a point.
The reverse fixture saw Hamzat Owolabi got the only goal of the game after he connected a long throw from Daniel Itodo to give Plateau United a hundred percent victory over the Sky Blue Stars in Jos.
The Remo Stars Stadium is a fortress for the Sky Blue Stars since they started playing active football on that pitch, they have not conceded any goal, and they hope to maintain that record.
A win for the Remo Stars will help keep the momentum of keeping their NPFL status intact and also maintain a record of not losing a game at home in presence of their supporters.
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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