Boasting an unbeaten record in their last seven encounters with Shooting Stars, Remo Stars’s superiority over their rivals was once again displaced in Ikenne on Wednesday.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered an intriguing midweek spectacle, headlined by the Southwest Derby, where Remo Stars ended their three-match winless streak with a commanding 2-0 victory over Shooting Stars on Wednesday, November 27, in Ikenne.
Having failed to score in their last three matches, Remo faced a Shooting side buoyed by two wins in their previous three outings. However, like in any derby of this magnitude, form went out the window, particularly in the opening 30 minutes where both teams delivered an almost-even performance.
The turning point came in the 41st minute when Shooting’s Murtala Taiye received a red card for a second bookable offence on Sikiru Alimi. Moments later, Alimi converted a penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way after Franck was fouled in the box.
About twenty minutes into the second half, the Sky Blue Stars doubled their lead through Olamilekan Adedayo’s header after Mawuena’s header had been denied.
Shooting had the chance to reduce the deficit on the stroke of 70, but goalkeeper Serge Obassa—returning to action after representing the Benin Republic side that held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw on November 14—made a crucial save to help Remo to a comfortable win, and their fifth in their last eight meetings over Shooting.
The win also took Daniel Ogunmodede’s side top of the table, tied on 26 points with Rivers United, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunshine Stars at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.
In Lagos, newbie Ikorodu City continued their fairy tale run, defeating El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0. Second-half goals from Adeyemi Shola and Ayomide Cole were enough for the Oga Boys to seal a fifth win in their last five matches as they climbed to fifth on the log.
Other Matchday 14 results saw Abia Warriors defeat 10-man Katsina United 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, as Akwa United also earned maximum points against Plateau United courtesy of a 1-0 victory.
Defending champions Rangers International defeated Lobi Stars 3-0 to climb up to third, as Kwara United defeated Heartland 1-0 in Ilorin. Bayelsa United were 4-1 victors over Niger Tornadoes, even as the relegation battle between Nasarawa United and Bendel Insurance ended with Nasarawa securing a 2-1 win over Insurance in Lafia.
Kano Pillars vs. Enyimba’s Matchday 14 clash has been postponed due to the People’s Elephants’ ongoing CAF Champions League group stage clash against Al Masry in Egypt.
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