Defending Champions, The Remo Stars U15 team, made a great comeback on the opening day of the 2023 MTN/NPFL/LaLiga U15 tournament, which started on Thursday at Ikenne, Ogun State where a total of 16 teams are participating in this year’s edition.
The young ambassadors from Remo had conceded two first-half goals to the Lobi Stars U15 team of Makurdi but fought back to win 3-2.
Kenneth Mshi struck twice for Lobi Stars. In the second half, Emmanuel Adeboye scored from the spot to reduce the deficit for Remo Stars, and some minutes later, parity was restored as Yusuf equalized the scores at 2-2. Seun Akanji’s acrobatic strike late in the game secured the victory for Remo Stars. Akanji’s goal thrilled the spectators, including the Chairman of Remo Stars, Kunle Soname, as well as representatives of the various sponsors.
Soname described the performance by Remo Stars as wonderful. “These young stars just reminded me of Atlanta ’96 Olympics Games, where our boys came from behind to beat Brazil. I almost thought victory would be impossible for Remo Stars in this game after conceding two first-half goals. I salute the young lads from Lobi Stars for the good game.”
Representative of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Ganiyu Majekodunmi, who stood in for the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, urged the players to make good use of their participation at the tournament.
The Head of Communications, NPFL, Harry Iwuala, commended the sponsors and partners of the tournament, saying that it has provided the young players an avenue to achieve their dreams in the profession.
“This tournament started in 2016, and it has continued to turn out good football players. It has helped in the development of the game in the country,” he said.
Iwuala urged football administrators to emulate the management of Remo Stars by building sports facilities for the youth and football in the country.
“We thank MTN, LaLiga, ValueJet, and all our partners for this tournament, and we are very impressed with what has been achieved in the past seven years,” Iwuala stated.
