from OKORO CHINEDU in Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
LAGOS, (CAJ News) – REMO Stars’ clinching of the Premier Football League title ranks among the most famous fairy tales in Nigerian sports.
The side from Ikenne in the industrialised Ogun State has won the title only four years after gaining promotion to the elite league.
The Sky Blue Stars have done the wonder with three games to spare, having secured 68 points from 35 games, the latest a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
The league leaders’ advantage over Rivers United, ten points behind, is unassailable. Deposed champions, Enugu Rangers, are struggling at eighth on 49 points.
Stars, under ambitious coach Daniel Ogunmodede (44), is the first club from the South West to win the title since 1991 when Julius Berger secured it.
Ogunmodede, a former assistant coach at Portuguese club Feirense, has marvelled at his Nigerian side thriving under his priority on defensive solidity and structured midfield play, anchored on his favoured 5-3-2 formation.
Stars were only established in 2015 by entrepreneur Kule Sonalame.
Underlining the team’s meteoric rise to the top of local football, Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the side on their fairytale.
“He (Tinubu) hopes their example will inspire other Nigerian clubs to pursue their dreams continuously with tenacity and optimism,” presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, stated.
Stars, by winning the title, are Nigeria’s representatives in the next Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.
Nigerian teams have been poor in the tournament, with Enyimba the last to win it in 2004. They remain the only champions from Nigeria, first winning it in 2003.
Tinubu has urged Stars to deploy the same spirit and focus to win continental honours.
“He calls on football fans across Nigeria to rally behind the team as they carry the nation’s hopes onto the African stage,” Onanuga said.
– CAJ News