Remo Stars' crowning: A well-deserved journey to the throne room

Posted : 25 May 2025

Ikenne-based Remo Stars' victory as the king of Nigeria's 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is a delight, as they broke all barriers, shattered records, and defied all permutations.

For the Sky Blue Stars to win the Nigerian league amid its intense politics, pressures, and intimidation is a cause for a double-digit celebration. They posted a record as the first team based in Ogun State to win a national top-flight league title since its establishment in 1976. They are also the first privately owned club to win the league, breaking a two-decade-long streak, and lifted the NPFL trophy with an impressive 71 points.

It is a record for Ogun State to finally have one of its clubs win the league. The defunct high-flying Abiola Babes had previously won the old Challenge Cup, now the Federation Cup, but no club from Ogun State had ever conquered the national league until the Sky Blue Stars.

Before clinching the 2024/2025 NPFL title, Remo Stars had shown grit after three failed attempts, finishing as runners-up in each of the three previous seasons.

However, the Sky Blue Stars' victory would be incomplete without mentioning the club's proprietor, Kunle Soname, a visionary who ensured all the right resources were in place to sustain the club.

Soname, an astute businessman and savvy investor, has invested heavily in Remo Stars FC. He also owns ValueJet Airlines and the betting firm BetNaija.

According to a Wikipedia publication in 2022, Remo Stars FC had a market value of €1.5 million, a testament to the club's business-minded approach and European standard model. Soname also has experience in foreign club ownership, managing CD Feirense in Portugal.

Another fascinating aspect of Remo Stars is their steady growth despite setbacks.

Founded in 2004 as FC Dender, the team earned promotion to elite football within two seasons.

By 2010, they had gained promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL), the second tier of Nigerian football.

Subsequently, the club rebranded and relocated to Remoland, changing its name to "Remo Stars Football Club."

They played in the top division following their promotion in 2016 but were relegated in 2018. They returned in 2021 after finishing second in the NNL playoff Group A.

A landmark moment came when Kunle Soname built a stadium for the club, transitioning them from tenants at Gateway International Stadium to a world-class facility in Ikenne.

Originally training on a local pitch in Ketu, Lagos, and playing at Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Remo Stars moved to Gateway Stadium in Sagamu before settling at their newly constructed home in Ikenne.

The crowning achievement came on April 27, 2025, when Remo Stars clinched their first-ever NPFL title with a 1–0 victory over Niger Tornadoes, thanks to Lekan Adedayo’s decisive 84th-minute goal.

This victory, earned away from home, was more than just a match win; it was a testament to years of perseverance, strategic planning, and a relentless belief in their vision.

The Sky Blue Stars claimed the crown after three near misses, including two second-place finishes. The 2024/2025 season saw them break barriers as the first privately owned club to win the NPFL since Ocean Boys in 2006, and the first from the southwest region to do so in 25 years.

Remo Stars built their success on consistency, grit, and growth. The competitive season saw them rise with defensive discipline and clutch performances.

They played 37 matches, recording 22 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses. They scored 45 goals, conceded 25, and finished with a +20 goal difference. Their home record was unbeaten: 16 wins and 2 draws. Away, they managed 5 wins, 3 draws, and 10 losses, with 19 clean sheets overall.

Remo Stars maintained pressure at the top of the table for most of the season, frequently trading positions with rivals like Rivers United. They went 8 matches unbeaten at one point and earned 10 of 15 possible points in their final 5 games, securing the title with 3 matches to spare.

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede was instrumental, balancing attack and defense, guiding the team to 45 goals at an average of 1.29 per match, the league's second-best.

More than 12 players scored at least 2 goals each, with 62% of total goals coming in the second half, including 13 in the 75th to 90th minutes.

Remo Stars' depth allowed them to rotate effectively despite injuries or fatigue. Young talents like Ahmed Akinyele, Haruna Hadi, and Jabar Malik stepped up at crucial moments.

Their home ground was a fortress, contributing to nearly 65% of their total points. Once they took the lead in matches, they rarely relinquished it, winning over 80% of games where they scored first.

This success came through tactical discipline, structured pressing, and intelligent game management. Whether by shifting to a compact mid-block or making smart substitutions, the team knew how to close out matches.

Remo Stars’ title win was no fluke. It was the product of discipline, smart rotation, effective management, and a resilient culture.

Under Coach Ogunmodede and his crew, including Assistant Coach Kamil Sulaiman, the team maintained a consistent tactical philosophy, deploying a disciplined 3–5–2 formation and adapting smartly during away fixtures.

Ogunmodede, also known as "Ijaball," began with the club in 2015 as an assistant coach. He led them to promotion in 2021, then enhanced his tactical knowledge in Portugal with CD Feirense. Returning in 2022, he introduced the "Ijaball" philosophy.

Under his guidance, Remo Stars achieved back-to-back second-place finishes and then won the 2024/2025 NPFL title. His expertise also earned him a role with the Super Eagles, helping them qualify for CHAN after an eight-year hiatus.

Remo Stars' commitment to youth development and trust in their academy has paid off. They don’t just buy talent; they nurture it, creating a sustainable model for Nigerian football.

Remo Stars' crowning: A well-deserved journey to the throne room

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