Reflecting on a magical first season that transformed 'baby of the NPFL' Remo Stars into the Pride of the Southwest

Baby of the league as qualified by team manager, Gbenga Ogunbote, Remo Stars were the real deal in the concluded league season.

The Ikenne Warriors enjoyed a historical season, as every good thing that happened to them over the course of the 38 game season is in all likelihood be happening for the first time.

Having been eliminated in each of the two seasons they had been promoted to the topflight, Remo Stars made several changes on regaining promotion back into the NPFL and that has paid massive dividends in under a year.

The first step was appointing veteran manager, Gbenga Ogunbote, who had just left his role at Sunshine Stars of Akure after leading them to a sixteenth place finish, just able to avoid relegation.

From their preseason games, the warning sounds has been made that this team is going to be a threat for oppositions, but not many see them finishing in the top three.

Their first game of the season was away to MFM FC. The Southwest derby was the first kickoff of the NPFL season and took place on Friday, December 17 at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.

Second half goals from Qudus Akanni and Andy Okpe gave them maximum points in a 2-0 win.

It was followed up by another 3-0 win in their first home game of the season against Heartland of Owerri with Andy Okpe scoring a quick double while substitute, Samuel Anakwe added a third late on.

It took them 282 minutes of league action before conceding a first goal in the NPFL season when Muritala Lawal scored for Dakkada FC in the 12th minute of their meeting at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The fine start to the season saw a run of eleven games unbeaten, of which six wins was earned, two away from home. From there, there was the conviction that it is bound to be a historical season for the Ikenne based stars.

They ended the season without a loss in the southwest derby. They completed the double over both Sunshine Stars and MFM FC, while they pick up four points over two legs against Shooting Stars.

Their third place finish is eight places better than Sunshine Stars, who is the other Southwest team to impress in the campaign whereas Shooting Stars just about escape relegation while MFM FC could not help going down.

Stand out performers

Kayode Bankole was at the focal point of their success. The goalkeeper kept 16 clean sheets despite not being the only one in goal throughout the season. No goalkeeper has more clean sheets than him.

He also saved a couple of penalties that ended up proving crucial. One was a last minute penalty to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi earlier in the year. The goalkeeper saved to see out a 2-1 win for Remo Stars.

Striker Andy Okpe, who arrived from Inter Allies at the end of last season was the showman for the team.

The tall striker bagged 13 goals in 31 appearances while Sikiru Alimi, who recently joined, registered quantifiable amount with eight, most of them being crucial goals, including the lone winner against Enyimba on matchday 36.

Samuel Anakwe and Tolulope Ojo also scored four each to help the course of the team. Samuel Anakwe’s goals in January were very crucial as it helped them pick-up a point away from him to Dakkada FC, sealed a home win against Plateau United.

However, the true showstoppers of the team, dictating play, interpreting and implementing Gbega Ogunbote tactics on the pitch were Abayomi Adebayo, Olamilekan Adebayo, Dayo Ojo and Qudus Akanni.

Abayomi Adebayo was the only player to have played in all 38 league games for Gbenga Ogunbote side and his impact in the side can be said to be second to none. He steadied the midfield, allowing his teammates freedom to express themselves.

Remo Stars were arguably the most entertaining team in league and having secured the CAF Confederations Cup ticket, an even better version of the team is to be anticipated next season.

The chemistry amongst the players, the buildup to most of their goals, how composed and assured they are in possession, the way they press as a unit, the number of chances they create and so much more deserves so much credits.

One of their eye-catching display was their penultimate home game of the season, against the reputable Enyimba of Aba.

The Ikenne Warriors made easy work of their opponents and spent well over 80 of the entire 90 minutes in the Enyimba half. Putting passes together and making the away side chase shadows. They made themselves the teams to watch week in and out.

Also deserving credits is the home support. Remo Stars, on their return to the topflight lost just two home games all season and that and avoided defeats against the big boys but for Kano Pillars and Akwa United.

The home support was encouraging as fans from the town of Ikenne and it's environment come out in their thousands to cheer up a team that is making them really proud.

Eighteen wins all season, fifteen of them at home, impressive for a newly promoted side yet disappointing for what they are building, makes them a team to watch out for next season, both domestically and on the continent, Remo Stars is here to stay.

Fans can't wait to get started again next season and this is the turning out to be the image that prompt consistency at the top level, as the fans can't get enough of these thrilling performances, the management will stop at nothing to ensure the continuity in the rise of now the pride of the Southwest.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi