Nigerian Football
A clash of Nigerian league front runners, Remo Stars and Rivers United…Who blinks first?
This could be the clash that will decide where the Nigerian league title will swing at the end of the current season. Remo Stars, the suprise team of the current Nigerian football season, have been unrelenting in making bold statement on the league title.
For the greater part of the season, they have been the team to beat as they held on tenaciously to the top position which following a day delay in their matchday 5 tie, they temporarily relinquished to established powerhouse, Rivers United.
Now the two top contenders go head-to-head in Ikenne on Sunday.
This is a highly anticipated clash as both sides are the only unbeaten teams on the NPFL this season.The Gbenga Ogunbote’s boys currently sit second on the log having same points with Rivers United who are currently on top of the league, with the Sky Blue Stars behind on goal difference.
The Sky Blue Stars held former champions, Rangers International to a goalless draw at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Anambra on Wednesday, while the Pride of Rivers defeated Heartland 3-1 in Porthacourt.
Sunday’s encounter will be the fifth meeting for both sides in the NPFL, with Rivers United having edged out the Sky Blue Stars in all previous four meetings.
Bernard Ovoke gave the Pride of Rivers all three points in the 21st minute back in 2017 when both sides met at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Porthacourt.
Remo Stars were defeated 3-1 back at the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu with goals from Bernard Ovoke, Emeka Ogbuh and Esosa Igbinoba with Oche Salefu scoring the consolation goal two minutes to the end of the game for Remo Stars.
When both side met in January 2019, Wasiu Jimoh gave Rivers United the maximum victory at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Portharcourt.
Three months later, Justice Charles won the game for the Pride of Rivers at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu to win all four matches against the Sky Blue Stars.
The Sky Blue Stars will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the ongoing season with Dayo Ojo, Junior Nduka, Andy Okpe, Samuel Anakwe, Sunday Williams, Ifegwu Ojukwu and Kayode Bankole all available for this match.
The backline of Remo Stars will be wary of their former player, Rafiu Isahq who is currently the highest goalscorer in the NPFL with 7 goals, former MFM player, Akuneto Chijioke who has 3 goals, Nyima Nwangua, Chidiebude Duru, Uche Onwuansanya and Maurice Chukwu.
Former Remo Stars Head Coach, Fatai Osho will also make his way back to Ikenne as he leads the Pride of Rivers to the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State for the crunchy tie.
The Sky Blue Stars have kept 6 clean sheets, one ahead of the Pride of Rivers as both sides biggest win this season was a 3-0 victory against Heartland for Remo Stars and 3-0 victory against Katsina United for Rivers United.
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
-
Nigerian Football1 week agoWesterhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
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