Remo Stars defeated NPFL champions Enyimba 2-1 in the first game of the Naija Super 8 on Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, with Isaac James scoring one goal and assisting the winner.
Despite being an off-season tournament, the first game between the country’s representatives in next season’s CAF Champions League lived up to expectations.
Remo took the lead after 20 minutes through James, who sliced open the Enyimba defence before slotting home to the far corner beyond Olorunleke Ojo in the People’s Elephant goal.
The league champions, on the other hand, responded quickly, with Chisom Okereke’s sublime final touch on a deft pass from Nonso Nzediegwu making the score 1-1 at halftime.
Remo took the lead again in the 58th minute when wing-back Seun Ogunribide tucked in a ball sent across the face of the goal by James.
The striker beat Paschal Eze on the right with pace and power before releasing Ogunribide, who slotted home to make it 2-1 for the Sky Blue Stars.
For the remainder of the game, Enyimba applied pressure in search of an equaliser, but only tempers flared as chances went begging, and the game ended 2-1 in favour of Remo Stars.
This is an off-season competition. These boys have not rested. It showed today. I’m happy with my players, despite the loss. Traveling here makes it more difficult for us, compared to where Remo Stars came from. It’s not easy to start playing from September and it’s almost August. I’ve not had rest as well, Enyimba manager, Finidi George, said.
I’m not complaining, Remo Stars have also had the kind of season we had. We want to win every game as sportsmen. We have two matches and we will win those matches and qualify for the semi-finals, he said.
Remo gaffer, Daniel Ogunmodede, said they gunned for revenge after Enyimba edged them to the league title.
We came with a lot of grudge against Enyimba for denying us the league on goals difference. We played a very good team. They are bigger than us, they are a Champions League team. So, we saw this as preparation for the Champions League and we wanted to measure with the best. We are happy we are able to measure up to them today.
The tournament continues (Saturday) today with Group B matches between Akwa United and Yobe Desert Stars at 2pm, followed by Rivers United vs Lobi Stars at 4:30pm.
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