NPFL: Remo stars End 2023 as league leader

Remo Stars FC have ended the year 2023 (NPFL) Nigeria Premier Football League table with 29 points from 15 matches regardless of the outcome of their match-day 16 game against Heartland in Owerri on Thursday (today).

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Although the league is three fixtures away from mid-season, Remo’s remarkable run becomes noteworthy because it’s the first time in over a decade that the league is in full swing at this time of the year.

The NPFL in recent years has been characterised by issues over a start date almost at the end of every year or at the start of a new year, forcing its calendar to become irregular.

As Remo go up against a struggling Heartland in Owerri, what remains to be seen is how many points gap they will hold on top of the table as Doma United and Lobi Stars are breathing down their neck.

Doma already lost their match-day 16 game 2-0 against Sunshine Stars in Akure on Wednesday, leaving them one point behind, while third-placed Lobi Stars, who host Niger Tornadoes today, are currently three points adrift of leaders Remo.

A draw or win for Remo in Owerri will further extend their lead by one or three more points. If they lose, a win for Lobi against Tornadoes will still not make Remo surrender the top spot, thanks to their superior goal difference.

Aside from leading the pack in terms of points accrued, the Sky Blue Stars have also scored the most goals this season. They scored 22, three more than Enugu Rangers and Bayelsa United, who have 19 each. This is not surprising, as they have the league’s joint top scorer, Sikiru Alimi, in their ranks. The former 3SC striker has 10 goals in 13 appearances this term.

Remo’s imperious charge in the league this season is fueled by their second-placed finish last season, when they lost the title on goal difference to Enyimba in the Super 6. Both teams had nine points each during the playoffs. In the regular season, Remo had 33 points from 18 games.

Perhaps, moved by their close shave with what would have been their first NPFL title last season, Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede was unequivocal about his title charge ahead of the current season.

“I can tell you that we are fully ready for the NPFL season,” Ogunmodede said in an interview at the start of the season.

“Our target at the beginning of last season was to win the league but we fell short in some ways. It has been a long-time project for us, we have been working consistently and we will surely be there someday.”

Remo will still play southwest rivals Sunshine Stars at home, Katsina United away and Abia Warriors at home as the season approaches midway.

Punch/MTO