In a cagey, tactical battle that epitomized the grit of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Remo Stars reasserted their dominance at the top of the table with a slender 1-0 victory over a resilient Ikorodu City side on Sunday.
While the scoreline suggests a close contest, the atmosphere at the Remo Stars Stadium was anything but quiet. This was a “Southwest Derby” that lived up to its billing—a clash of philosophies between the established heavyweights from Ikenne and the ambitious newcomers from Lagos.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Ikorodu City had no intentions of being mere spectators. The “Oga Boys” set up in a compact low block, frustrating the Remo Stars’ creative engine. For much of the first half, the hosts dominated possession but struggled to find the clinical final pass to breach the visitors’ disciplined backline.
Remo’s wingers looked to stretch the play, but Ikorodu’s defensive transitions were seamless. The first forty-five minutes ended in a stalemate, leaving the home crowd restless and the visiting bench cautiously optimistic.
The second half saw Remo Stars emerge with renewed urgency. Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s halftime talk clearly prioritized verticality, as the Sky Blue Stars began carving out more meaningful opportunities.
The decisive moment arrived in the 63rd minute. Following a sustained period of pressure, a pinpoint delivery into the box found the clinical edge Remo had been missing. The stadium erupted as the ball hit the back of the net, a goal that was as much about relief as it was about technical brilliance.
“In games like this, you don’t look for flair; you look for the three points,” a Remo Stars official noted post-match. “Ikorodu came with a plan, but our persistence paid off.”
To their credit, Ikorodu City did not crumble after conceding. They threw caution to the wind in the final fifteen minutes, forcing the Remo goalkeeper into two spectacular saves to preserve the lead. Their performance served notice to the rest of the league: despite the loss, the Lagos-based side has the tactical organization to compete with the giants.
For Remo Stars, this result is a statement of intent. It reinforces their fortress-like home record and keeps them firmly in the hunt for the NPFL title. For Ikorodu City, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, yet there are plenty of positives to take back to Lagos regarding their defensive solidity.
Key Match Stats:
Possession: Remo Stars 58% – 42% Ikorodu City
Shots on Target: Remo Stars 5 – 2 Ikorodu City
Final Score: Remo Stars 1 Ikorodu City 0
