Remo Stars took a massive step toward clinching their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL title with a vital 1–0 win over regional rivals Shooting Stars in a fiercely contested Southwest Derby.
Midfielder Alex Oyowah struck the decisive goal half an hour into the game, sealing all three points for the visitors. The win sees Remo Stars stretch their lead at the top of the table to 65 points after 34 matches, keeping them seven points ahead of second-placed Rivers United, who also secured a 1–0 win over Sunshine Stars.
Elsewhere, Ikorodu City climbed into third with 53 points after holding El Kanemi Warriors to a 1–1 draw. Bendel Insurance moved into fifth following their 1–1 home draw with Nasarawa United.
At the other end of the table, Heartland FC remain stuck in the relegation zone after a goalless home draw with Kwara United. Akwa United’s relegation fears deepened following a 1–0 defeat to Plateau United in Jos, while Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United played out a 1–1 draw.
Editorial
Remo Stars’ steady rise to the summit of Nigerian football has been one of the most compelling stories of the 2024/2025 NPFL season. Their latest triumph, a gritty away victory over Shooting Stars in a derby clash, sends a clear message they are not just title hopefuls; they are title favourites.
This campaign has shown that Remo Stars are no longer the promising underdogs—they are disciplined, organised, and lethal when it counts. Alex Oyowah’s winner exemplifies that edge, that ability to grab the moment and turn it into gold. In a league where unpredictability often reigns, consistency is king—and Remo Stars have found theirs.
But credit must also go to their management and technical staff. Building a title-chasing side in Nigerian football is no easy feat. Logistics, player turnover, fan expectations—all are steep hills to climb. And yet, here they are, leading the pack, chasing history.
With just four rounds to go, nothing is guaranteed. Rivers United are lurking, Ikorodu City are growing in confidence, and the pressure will only intensify. But if Remo Stars stay the course and keep doing what’s brought them this far, they may just etch their name into the league’s golden chapter.
We believe they’ve earned the right to dream and to fight for it.
Did You Know?
- Remo Stars, based in Ikenne, Ogun State, were only promoted to the NPFL in 2021 after winning the NNL Southern Conference.
- The club is owned by Kunle Soname, who is also the first Nigerian to own a European football club CD Feirense in Portugal.
- Alex Oyowah, the goalscorer against Shooting Stars, was previously part of Nigeria’s U-20 setup.
- Shooting Stars, also known as 3SC, were one of the first Nigerian clubs to win a continental title the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup in 1976.
- No club from Ogun State has ever won the NPFL title in the modern era. Remo Stars could be the first.
