Remo Stars continue their winning streak in efforts to sustain their NPFL title chase.
In a balanced contest at the freshly laid turf of Remo Stars Stadium in the sedate rural town of Ikenne, Dayo Ojo made the slight but influential difference for Remo Stars to continue their run in the 2021/22 season of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
His 64th minute outside the box strike yielded all three points for Remo Stars to reclaim top spot from Rivers United that enjoyed that spot for 24 hours following their win in Lagos a day before.
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Abia Warriors, Coached by Imams Amakapabo made their hosts work their socks to earn the points as they matched them in the ball passing art to the delight of the largely partisan Ikenne crowd.
The win meant the Sky Blues moved two points clear of second placed Rivers United and have so far picked 17 points out of 21 and unbeaten thus far.
For Coach Gbenga Ogunbote of Remo Stars, it was an evening of encomiums for the midfielder, a veteran of leagues battles across a number of clubs in the NPFL including Sunshine Stars and Enyimba International.
“Dayo Ojo is somebody that has worked with me for many years. His sense of discipline is second to none. He has been able to motivate the younger players around him and it has shown in the way we play”
“He used his wealth of experience to side foot the ball home when it mattered most. Set pieces is something we have been working on at the training ground and I am delighted that it worked out today”
His side may have been undone by that lone strike but Amakapabo was praised for the kind of game structure he has infused in the Abia Warriors squad. While blaming the loss on momentary loss of concentration, he would also acknowledge the performance of his players who were not outplayed by the home team.
“We controlled the game for most part but lost focus when it mattered most. They scored through a corner kick, it’s something that we can easily defend but, in football these things happen sometimes”
“I want to commend the players for a spirited fight that they put up. We will go back, do a retooling to come back better. It’s unfortunate that many of our players are out through injury but we will surely bounce back”
Remo Stars will next visit Nnewi as guest of Enugu Rangers in a match Gbenga Ogunbote described as significant one.
