Remo Stars in nervy wait at NaijaSuper 8

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Palpable anxiety is expected in the camp of Remo Stars as the curtain falls on the group stage of the NaijaSuper 8 this Thursday. Remo Stars have concluded all their matches in the photo-finish scenario that the Group A has presented.

Three of the four teams – Katsina United, Sporting Lagos and Remo Stars – are tied on four point apiece and are only separated by goal-difference. Only the Nigerian league champions, Enyimba crashed out of contention.

But the pressure is more on Remo Stars who don’t have their destiny in their hands. They have to wait for the final whistle in the group leadership match involving Sporting Lagos and Katsina United.

A draw sends Remo Stars back to their palatial home in Ikenne. But a win by any of the two combatants gives the Ikenne team another playing time ahead of their more challenging CAF Champions League engagement.

Navigating on new grounds in the continent, more competitive matches will undoubtedly serve as dress rehearsals.

Should they eventually qualify for the Naija Super 8 semi-finals, they will face Lobi Stars, familiar foes from last month’s Super 6 on the same Mobolaji Johnson Arena. That fixture may however be a dream.

The Katsina United Sporting Lagos duel Thursday afternoon may be heading into a draw that could see both teams going into the semi-finals.

Both just gained qualification into the elite Nigeria Premier League.  In the possibility of Katsina winning the duel, they will lead the group and will be joined by Remo Stars.

The home side, with the active backing of their ‘corporate’ backers and supporters have all to play for to prove their sudden emergence as the new force in South West football scene.