Remo Stars have ended the year 2023 on top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table, regardless of the outcome of their match-day 16 game against Heartland in Owerri on Thursday (today).
This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time in over a decade that the league has been in full swing at this time of the year, despite being three fixtures away from mid-season.
The NPFL has grappled with irregular calendar schedules in recent years, often commencing near the year’s end or the beginning of a new year.
Currently boasting 29 points from 15 matches, Remo leads the table. As they face Heartland, their standing atop the league is under scrutiny, with Doma United and Lobi Stars closely trailing.
Doma United’s recent 2-0 loss against Sunshine Stars in Akure leaves them one point behind, while Lobi Stars, seated in third place, will play against Niger Tornadoes today, trailing Remo by three points.
The outcome in Owerri will determine the extent of Remo’s lead. A draw or win for Remo will widen the gap by one or three points, but even in a loss, Lobi’s victory against Tornadoes wouldn’t displace Remo due to their superior goal difference.
Beyond leading in points, Remo Stars also hold the distinction of scoring the most goals this season, tallying 22. This includes Sikiru Alimi, their top scorer with 10 goals in 13 appearances, sharing the league’s highest scoring position with former 3SC striker.
This exceptional performance stems from their second-place finish last season, narrowly missing the title on goal difference to Enyimba in the Super 6 playoffs, where both teams earned nine points each. In the regular season, Remo gathered 33 points from 18 games.
Undoubtedly motivated by last season’s near-victory, Remo Stars’ coach Daniel Ogunmodede has expressed unyielding determination in pursuing the NPFL title this current season.
“I can tell you that we are fully ready for the NPFL season,” Ogunmodede told PUNCH Sports Extra at the start of the season.
“Our target at the beginning of last season was to win the league but we fell short in some ways. It has been a long-time project for us, we have been working consistently and we will surely be there someday.”
Remo will still play southwest rivals Sunshine Stars at home, Katsina United away and Abia Warriors at home as the season approaches midway.
