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Against invading Abia Warriors, Remo Stars optimistic of another win

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Remo Stars of Ikenne square off against Abia Warriors this Thursday evening hoping to regain the Nigeria Professional Football League top spot which Rivers United are currently occupying.

The newcomers to the elite league have remained unbeaten so far.While they head into the contest at the Remo Stars Stadium to contest for the top position, Abia Warriors with eight points are currently eighth on the log.

Their last match away from home against Wikki Tourists has shown the quality of the side jostling to go continental next season.

Mercurial midfielder, Dayo Ojo put the Sky Blue Stars ahead with a beautiful strike after he connected well to a pass from Andy Okpe, before Abdullahi Oyedele doubled the lead from close range to give Remo Stars a chance in that encounter but Salisu Adama pushed to reduce the deficit for the Giant Elephants.

Having picked maximum points on the road against Wikki Tourists over the weekend, the Remo Stars will hope to continue their unbeaten record.

Abia Warriors on the other hand got their maximum points through Innocent Gabriel who put them ahead in the ninth minute of the encounter against Heartland FC.

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Both sides last meeting was in 2017 when the Sky Blue Stars put a stop to their the Warriors’ eight  matches unbeaten record through Victor Mbaoma from the penalty spot in the 90th minute at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Ogun State.

In the reverse fixture, Remo Stars stood their ground at the Umuahia Township Stadium in Umuahia to share the spoils and the ended 0-0 between both sides.

The visitors will hope to keep faith in some of their veterans like Anthony Okemiri who assisted Innocent Gabriel in their last game, experienced players such as Odah Okemute, Cletus Emotan and Godwin Obaje are also expected to be handful for the hosts.

Remo Stars’ Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote will continue to keep faith in Dayo Ojo, Stanley Okorom, Abdullahi Oyedele, Andy Okpe and safe hands Kayode Bankole as they hope to hold firm to top spot.

Morgan Agbeko is still the only injured player for Remo Stars, and he is hopeful to reunite with the squad in few weeks.

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A win for host will extend the unbeaten streak to seven  matches in a row, the first of its kind for the Sky Blue Stars in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Meanwhile, Remo Stars goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole has indicated his side will not be complacent and carried away with their bright start to the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He was instrumental to Remo Stars as they claimed total match points on the road against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in matchday six of the NPFL.

“I think it feels good, we did well in our last game against Wikki Tourists, nobody ever gave us a chance to defeat them in Bauchi, we did it, and we are so proud of the moment.”

“We will continue to keep our heads high above waters and won’t be distracted with our current performance, it is not easy topping the NPFL and every team’s target now is to stop our unbeaten streak, but we will remain focused and face each game as they come.”

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“Abia Warriors are no push over in the league, they are also a good team. They have picked point on the road, but we will try our best to get our maximum points against them.”

“We will remain focused as a team to ensure we continue to win our games and permit me to use this opportunity to appreciate our fans for them support both at home and away, we happy, and we will not disappoint you because you all are our driving force.”

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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