In a season that has felt like a tightrope walk for the Ikenne faithful, Remo Stars have finally found their footing. In a high-stakes encounter this week, the “Sky Blue Stars” delivered a performance of immense character, securing a vital victory that has officially pulled them clear of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) “danger zone.”
The atmosphere at the Remo Stars Stadium was electric as fans witnessed a tactical masterclass from coach Daniel Ogunmodede, whose side has spent much of the early 2026 campaign looking over their shoulders at the relegation places.
Entering the midweek fixture, the pressure was palpable. Positioned precariously in 16th place and just points away from the drop, Remo Stars knew that anything less than three points would deepen the crisis.
The match was a grueling tactical chess match. After a scoreless first half that saw both sides squander clear-cut opportunities, the breakthrough came in the 72nd minute. A sweeping counter-attack led by the industrious Alex Oyowah found Victor Mbaoma in the box; the striker’s clinical finish sent the home crowd into a frenzy and provided the cushion the Stars so desperately needed.
This victory is more than just three points—it is a psychological breakthrough. By dispatching their opponents, Remo Stars have catapulted themselves into the mid-table safety net, leapfrogging several rivals in a congested bottom half.
The Escape: The win moves Remo Stars to 25 points, creating a vital five-point buffer between themselves and the bottom four.
Defensive Solidity: Notably, this match marked the first time in five outings that the Stars kept a clean sheet, a testament to the renewed discipline of the backline.
“We knew the gravity of the situation,” said Captain Junior Nduka post-match. “The ‘danger zone’ isn’t where this club belongs. Today wasn’t just about football; it was about pride and making sure we kept our destiny in our own hands.”
NPFL Standings: The Great Escape
Pos Club P GD Pts Status
12 Kwara United 20 0 25 Safe
13 Remo Stars 20 -5 25 Climbing
14 Wikki Tourists 20 -3 24 Under Pressure
15 Bayelsa United 20 -7 23 At Risk
17 Barau FC 20 -6 21 Relegation Zone
While the threat of relegation has faded for now, the journey is far from over. The Sky Blue Stars must maintain this momentum as they prepare for a daunting away trip to Port Harcourt to face league giants Rivers United. For a team that was nearly written off last month, the narrative in Ikenne has shifted from “survival” to “resurgence.”
