Remo Stars of Ikenne coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has hailed the goal and impact enacted by Alex Young Oyowah in Sunday’s 1-0 win away to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in a week 34 match of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), Sports247 reports that Oyowah’s 60th minute goal was enough to end Remo Stars’ run of three matches without victory, take them seven points clear on top the log and give them bragging rights on the home turf of one of Nigeria’s traditional clubs.
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The victory also means Honourable Kunle Soname’s club are now just two victories away from clinching their first NPFL title, following two straight runners-up spots over the past couple of seasons, and Ogunmodede heaped applause on all his players for achieving Sunday’s feat.
He added, “We showed a lot of resilience, because the boys knew what was at stake. Obviously, their character during the game showed they knew exactly what was at stake. It was a battle from beginning to the end, and I am happy that we won.”
However, while praising Oyowah and the other players for their sterling efforts during the game at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba in Ibadan, the tall and soft-spoken tactician lamented the absence of spectators at the arena, due to a recent hammer the NPFL handed 3SC for unruly conduct by their fans.
Ogunmodede, who is also an assistant coach in the Super Eagles’ technical crew, moaned: “The only painful thing about this match was playing without spectators. For me, although we took advantage of the situation, it was a terrible thing for football.
“This type of thing is not good for football, especially for this type of team and a historic ground. It’s one of the biggest grounds that Remo Stars will ever come to play on and sometimes tremble. This time, though, it was a different ball game.
“It was about tactics and having the right mentality. We knew what was at stake. So, we took full advantage, and we got our maximum three points.”
Daniel Ogunmodede concluded with accolades for Oyowah and the other players for giving him cause to relax, heading into the last four matches of the season, as they now need only four points to guarantee their first NPFL title, which may even come as early as this Sunday at home against Niger Tornadoes of Minna.
“Alex is an excellent player. He was fantastic. For me, he was man of the match. During each moment, when we had the ball, he was there; when we did not have the ball, he was there … always playing and tactically aware. He’s an exceptional player. He showed amazing awareness during the run of play and made himself available to head in the goal. I must give him credit for it.
“Overall, I am happy for the boys. They’ve been doing a good job. After going three matches without a win, we had to come back. It was important that we had to come back, and that’s what we did. Now I can relax. It’s time to rest before the next game,” Ogunmodede eulogised.
Sports247 can further report that Remo Stars could be crowned champions at home on Sunday if Rivers United of Port Harcourt fail to win their away fixture.
Heading into the NPFL’s week 35 fixtures, Remo are top of the log with 65 points, while Rivers are second on 58; meaning an unassailable 10 point difference could be created by Ogunmodede’s side ahead of their rivals from The Garden City before the last three games of the season.
