Remo Stars have been crowned champions of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League after their 4-1 win over Ikorodu City in a match-day 37 game in Ikenne.
The Sky Blue Stars came from a goal down to thrash their Southwest rivals and also dent their hopes of picking a continental ticket in their debut NPFL campaign.
Already confirmed as champions two weeks ago, Remo Stars marched into the field for their coronation day with a guard of honour from their visitors, inside an electrifying stadium filled with thousands of supporters who came to witness their historic day.
Also among the spectators was the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who joined the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye and other league officials.
The packed stadium was however silenced in the 15th minute when Ikorodu City captain, Tosin Oyedokun, sent a pile driver which was mishandled by Serge Obassa, for the visitors shocking lead.
After a couple of missed chances from Olamilekan Adedayo and Sodiq Ismail, Remo Stars finally got back into the game in the 37th minute courtesy of a simple finish from Sikiru Alimi for his fifth goal of the season.
Four minutes later, the hosts went into the lead thanks to Ibrahim Shuaib’s clinical finish off a brilliant assist by Babatunde Bello.
Bello went from provider to scorer after the restart, netting the hosts’ third goal to get the fans into party mood.
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The proceedings was all Ikorodu City traffic from there as the visitors tried to reduce the deficit, but things got better for Remo Stars and the hosts made it 4-1 in the 67th minute through Adedayo.
Ikorodu City didn’t relent but the hosts eased into their 22nd win of the season and take their tally to 71 points ahead of their final game of the season away at Bayelsa United next week.
For Ikorodu City, the defeat dented their hopes of picking a CAF Confederation Cup ticket as they remained on 56 points, four behind third-placed Abia Warriors (60) with one game to the end of the season.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
