Tough Derby, But Delighted With Win – Ogunmodede

Remo Stars secured a hard fought 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars in a tense southwest derby during their NPFL week two encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium. Coach Daniel Ogunmodede expressed his satisfaction with the result, acknowledging the physical and competitive nature of the match.

It was a top game, an extremely tough game, Ogunmodede noted in his post match interview. Maybe it comes as a derby, being our first home game and first southwest derby. Maximum three points, I’m happy with that. Not a fantastic game, but a good fight from the players.

The decisive moment came early when Shuaib Ibrahim scored his first goal for Remo Stars in the 15th minute, connecting with a lofted pass from Ifeanyi Anaemena and calmly finishing. Despite the early lead, Sunshine Stars responded with resilience, showing improved confidence compared to their struggles in the previous season.

Ogunmodede was impressed by Sunshine Stars’ determination, stating, After our early goal, Sunshine came out strong. They don’t want to go through a relegation battle again, so they came with a different mentality this time.

Reflecting on the intensity of the derby, Ogunmodede added, The good thing for me is that a southwest derby must come with intensity. Both teams came out pound for pound.

The coach was also pleased with how his team complemented last week’s away win with another three points at home. Although not entirely satisfied with the overall quality of the match, Ogunmodede emphasized the significance of the victory and praised both teams for delivering an intense and competitive game.

Editorial

The victory by Remo Stars over Sunshine Stars highlights the challenging and high stakes nature of local derbies in the NPFL. While the match was not the most polished in terms of quality, it showed that passion, grit, and determination can often be the decisive factors in these encounters.

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s remarks suggest that while the team has yet to fully hit their stride in terms of performance, they are showing the essential ability to grind out results in difficult situations. This resilience is crucial for any team with ambitions of success in the NPFL, where consistency is key.

The derby against Sunshine Stars was a reminder of the importance of mentality in football. Sunshine Stars, motivated to avoid another relegation battle, pushed Remo Stars hard, and it was only through a disciplined defensive effort and timely goal that Remo Stars secured the win. Ogunmodede’s recognition of the intensity and competitive balance in the game is a positive sign, as it reflects the growing competitiveness of the NPFL.

As the season progresses, Remo Stars will need to build on these hard earned victories, refining their gameplay while maintaining the grit that earned them three points in this encounter. Fans can expect more battles like this as teams across the league continue to elevate their performances.

Did You Know?

1. Remo Stars were promoted to the NPFL in 2021 and have quickly established themselves as a competitive side in Nigerian football.
2. Sunshine Stars, based in Akure, were founded in 1995 and have been regular participants in the NPFL.
3. The NPFL Nigeria Professional Football League is the top professional football league in Nigeria, featuring teams from across the country.
4. Daniel Ogunmodede, Remo Stars’ coach, has been with the club since 2019 and is known for his tactical approach and focus on youth development.
5. Local derbies in Nigerian football, like the Remo Stars vs. Sunshine Stars match, are often highly competitive and bring out the best in regional teams.