Comment by Michael Imianvan|@MichaelImianvan
On a sunny afternoon in Sagamu, 15th Jan 2017 to be precise, history was written, as a new club side made its debut appearance in the 2016/17 NPFL Season.
The euphoria that graced the occasion was mouthwatering, but having spent four seasons in the NNL before getting its breakthrough and secured one of the four tickets to the NPFL, Remo Stars football club of Ogun State knew it will be tough in the elite division.
Publicity was high, and being a privately owned club side, you'd expect better incentives to entice football fans to the Gateway Intl Stadium,Sagamu,Ogun state, home ground of the Sky Blues Stars, as they are fondly called.
Talking about incentives, the club ensured free wifi service for supporters, free full chicken for a group of family who attends its home matches and refreshment for a ticket bought.
The stakes were high on its debut match, as early as 3pm the covered seat of the stadium was filled to the brim for a match expected to kick off at 4pm against Plateau Utd, some other fans were also seen at other sections of the stadium, waiting eagerly to watch the first ever match of their darling football club, Remo Stars.
Yours truly, covering the match as a journalist was also at the stadium ready for the match seating alongside a very good friend and senior colleague, Oladimeji Oshode, who also doubles as the club sides Media Officer, Bayo Adegboyega of OGBC Sport was also in attendance and Babajide O'Seyi a blogger and strong promoter of the NPFL.
Exactly 4pm and it's kick off, CHIZOBA; ABIODUN,EWELIKE,OSHOBE,OBI; OSAS,MARTABA,OCHE SALEFU; VICTOR MBAOMA, DUME VICTOR,OPEOLUWA. were the first ever starting XI for Remo stars in the NPFL with Nduka Ugbade as coach(contract talks later broke down between the club’s management and Nduka Ugbade after some matches with Ugbade departing the club side).
In it's first match Remo stars started like a house on fire putting the ball on the ground and playing some tiki taka sort of football, but Plateau Utd stunned the home crowd by taking the lead, not to be deterred Remo Stars kept attacking and finally got the equaliser off a header from talisman and club captain Victor Mbaoma(he will later score 7 goals in the first stanza of the NPFL).
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| Victor Mbaoma was the shinning light for Remo in the first stanza |
Remo stars eventually lost the match 2 1 at full time as Golbe Elisha scored an exquisite free kick very early in the second half. The fans were not depressed as they enjoyed some good football.
It took Remo Stars not until Matchday 3 to grab her first win in the NPFL having lost her second match away to Gombe Utd, Victor Mbaoma was the hero as he scored from the spot to right at the death to give the Sky blues stars a 1 0 win over Abia Warriors.
Assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede took charge of the team after the departure of Nduka Ugbade, played two matches and he lost the two fixtures both home and away.
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| Nduka Ugbade was axed after spells of poor results |
After a turbulent start to the season with managerial
problems, the club’s management finally settled for former Crown FC coach, Osho Fatai.
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| Fatai Osho during his unveiling to the media |
Osho Fatai had a decent start to life at the club, going on a 4 match unbeaten run, 3 draws and 1 win. But he will later see Remo Stars rack up its biggest win in the NPFL till date an emphatic 3 0 win over fellow newbies ABS FC of Ilorin.
The club will however make fond memory of its away draws at fellow South West club side 3SC in Ibadan and defending champion of the NPFL, Rangers in Enugu.
But a stark contrast result saw FC Ifeanyi Ubah inflict the club's biggest defeat in its NPFL season, a 3 0 loss in Nnewi.
In all, Remo Stars FC have played 19 matches in the first half of the league, 9 at home and 10 away with 5 wins, 4 draws and 10 loss which has seen them remain rooted at the bottom of the table.
One thing that however stands Remo Stars out is the way the club side is being run, brilliant structure, fantastic welfare package and constant payment of players and officials salaries.
For the records, Remo Stars are yet to see players protest of unpaid salaries.
Remo Stars will however see the LMC hammer hit them as they were fined 2.5m naira for violence conduct in their matchday 15 win over Wikki Tourist which ended 2 1 with that man again, Victor Mbaoma coming to the team's rescue.
The club will however hope to forestall such ugly scenes in their remaining home games in the NPFL.
With the end of the first stanza of the NPFL and Remo Stars looking like the club will taste relegation in just its first season in the topflight,the club has 10 home matches and 9 away matches in the second stanza.
One thing will certainly be at the back of Osho Fatai and its players, "WIN ALL YOUR HOME GAMES".
By winning all its home games, Remo stars will amass a total of 30pts, add that to the already available 19pts....gives you 49pts and just 1 away draw will see a total of 50pts, which is enough to escape relegation.
Relegation or not, one thing Remo Stars will certainly be remembered for is their brand of football and the structural level of the club.
Fans will be hopeful that the club side will be in the NPFL next season.
Remo Stars.... The Sky Blues Stars
Michael Imianvan(MikeThePundit) is an Ogun State based Sport broadcast journalist, who has covered all of Remo Stars matches this season.
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