Nigerian Football
Sky-blue attired Remo Stars reaching the blue skies again
Defending Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars, claimed their second straight victory of the season on Sunday with a narrow 1-0 win over Warri Wolves at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
The Sky-Blue Stars, playing at their interim home ground, dominated much of the encounter but had to wait until the 78th minute before breaking down Wolves’ resilient defence.
Samson Olasupo provided the breakthrough, latching on to a through ball from Haruna Hadi before slotting home his second goal of the campaign.
Earlier, Remo Stars had threatened through Ibrahim Abubakar’s free-kick, Chilekwu’s glancing header and a Samuel Anakwe effort that rattled the crossbar, but the first half ended goalless.
The team side has now gone unbeaten in their opening three games of the new season, moving joint top of the table with Wikki Tourists on seven points.
Elsewhere, Shooting Stars’ stuttering start continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ikorodu City at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, leaving the Oluyole Warriors still searching for their first win of the campaign.
In Enugu, Rangers secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Plateau United to boost their early-season form.
RESULTS
- Remo Stars 1-0 Warri Wolves
- Rangers Int’l 2-0 Plateau United
- Wiki Tourists 1-0 Abia Warriors
- Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Bayelsa United
- Enyimba 0-0 Nasarawa United
- Shooting Stars 1-1 Ikorodu City
- Katsina United 1-0 Kano Pillars
- Kwara United 2-0 Kun Khalifat FC
- El Kanemi Warriors 0-0 Rivers United
- FC Barau 1-1 Bendel Insurance
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Remo Stars staged a spirited comeback to edge Kun Khalifat 2-1 in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 2 clash at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, on Monday evening.
The hosts took an early lead in the 15th minute when Henry Ezeoye confidently converted from the penalty spot. Kun Khalifat maintained their advantage through the first half, frustrating the visitors with disciplined defending.
Remo Stars, however, returned from the break with renewed urgency and were eventually rewarded in the 70th minute. Abubakar Ibrahim struck the equaliser after sustained pressure from the visitors.
Substitute Samson Olasupo then completed the turnaround seven minutes later, firing home in the 77th minute to secure all three points for Remo Stars.
The result caps off the NPFL MatchDay 2 fixtures, with Remo Stars showing their resilience on the road.
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Nigerian Football
Golden Eaglets Ramp Up Preparations for WAFU-B U17 Tournament with Impressive Friendly Run
Nigeria’s U17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, continued their steady build-up to the upcoming WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament with two more test matches over the weekend, maintaining their fine form as preparations hit top gear.
The five-time world champions faced Darazo Football Academy of Bauchi on Friday, where they put on a dominant second-half performance to seal a 2–0 victory.
The game remained tightly contested in the first half, but the Eaglets’ superior fitness and tactical organisation shone through after the break, with two sublime goals securing the win.
On Saturday, the Golden Eaglets battled the Gombe U17 team in a friendly that was played under challenging rainy conditions.
Despite both sides creating chances, the game ended in a goalless draw — a result that highlighted the Eaglets’ resilience in less-than-ideal weather.
So far, the team has played 11 friendly matches in the build-up to the regional tournament, winning nine, drawing one, and losing just once.
The strong run of results has boosted confidence within the camp as the team looks to reclaim its dominance on the West African stage and qualify for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Head coach Manu Garba and his technical crew continue to fine-tune tactics and assess player combinations as the countdown to the WAFU-B tournament continues.
The date and host nation for the regional competition are expected to be confirmed soon by the West African Football Union.
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Remo Stars skipper, Junior Nduka Harrison, will play his final match for the reigning Nigerian champions when they face Kun-Khalifat in Owerri on Sunday.
Nduka, who has been a key figure in the Ikenne-based club’s rise, is leaving at the end of his contract and is set to join Erbil Sports Club of Iraq.
According to club sources, the defender opted to pursue his career abroad rather than renew his deal or move to another Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side.
His departure follows that of deputy captain and second-choice goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole, who is heading to South Africa.
With both captains exiting, questions have been raised about the team’s leadership. However, sources say the armband is likely to pass to defender Adedayo Olamilekan, the third in command, who was rewarded with a car in July after being named the club’s best player last season.
Despite the exits, Remo Stars have strengthened their squad ahead of their continental campaign.
Among the new signings are two Malian imports, Chaka Coulibaly and Adama Goita. Also returning is striker Victor Mbaoma, who has rejoined the club for a third spell after stints with Akwa United, Enyimba, MC Algiers (Algeria), Oizilqum Zarafshon (Uzbekistan), and APR FC of Rwanda.
Mbaoma made an immediate impact, scoring in the league opener against Rivers United.
Victor Mbaoma returns on a third spell
Other additions include goalkeeper Kolimba Alladoum, who impressed with 16 clean sheets for Katsina United last season, left-back Chigozie Chilekwu from Tabora United (Tanzania), as well as Sani Faisal, Emmanuel Ofori, and Vincent Edafe.
With key departures balanced by a wave of new signings, Remo Stars will be banking on fresh energy and experience to maintain their domestic dominance and make an impact on the continental stage.
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