A former defensive midfielder at Remo Stars of Ikenne, Taiwo Olajide has declared that the club owned by Honourable Kunle Soname keeps excelling in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) because the officials respect their players.
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While juxtaposing the scenario of Remo Stars with what applies in most other NPFL clubs, Olajide disclosed that his former club never owe salaries of their players and the welfare conditions they have in place are of high class.
The youngster, who was the Ikenne-based club’s vice-captain before he decided to move on for greener pastures, stressed that many NPFL clubs do not treat their players like true professional footballers, which he believes affects their results in the league.
Olajide, who has been out of action due to injury and is currently recuperating, stated further: “I have some NPFL players that are my friends, and I have recently trained with few of them. Most of them always complain about the treatment they are getting at their clubs.
“One of them that plays for Insurance told me it’s only a few NPFL players that receive what they deserve as professionals.
“As professional players, there are some stuff that should not be done to them. You need to treat them like real professionals.
“We must begin to understand that a professional is a professional.”
He then singled out Remo Stars for praise and inferred that their ability to finish second in the NPFL for two consecutive seasons is a reflection of the well-organised structure in place at the club.
“The only club that I feel is well-structured in Nigeria is Remo Stars. Not because I previously played there, but the facts show that they have done well.
“It shows in their game, it shows in the appearance of their players and how they respect their players more.
“With the way a club is doing well in their matches, you will know that their players are well-respected and they are ready to play their hearts out.
“Other clubs have issues of players not getting enough money and things not really working out for them.
“That’s why everybody is thinking of how to leave Nigeria, and you see them even going to countries that are not better than us.
“That’s one of the big problems affecting the Nigerian league,” Olajide concluded with an emphatic tone.
