Remo Stars, the reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), clinched their first victory of the 2025/26 season in a thrilling encounter against newly-promoted Kun Khalifat. The match, held at Aba on Monday, saw Remo Stars stage a remarkable comeback after initially trailing 1-0 at halftime. Despite conceding an early penalty, expertly converted by Henry Ezeonye for Kun Khalifat, the champions displayed resilience and tactical prowess to secure a 2-1 win, catapulting them to fourth place in the league standings. This victory provided a much-needed boost following their opening day 1-1 draw against Rivers United.
The first half witnessed a determined Kun Khalifat side capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Remo Stars within the opening quarter. The resulting penalty, calmly dispatched by Ezeonye, put the home side in the driver’s seat. Remo Stars, though trailing, created scoring opportunities but were thwarted by a combination of resolute defending and the impressive goalkeeping of Nsikak Abong. Abubakar Ibrahim’s set-up for Samuel Anakwe was blocked by Abong, while Stanley Joseph’s free-kick drifted wide, leaving the champions frustrated as they headed into the break.
The second half unfolded with a renewed sense of urgency from Remo Stars. Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s tactical substitutions proved crucial in shifting the momentum. Haruna Hadi, Alex Oyowah, and Samson Olasupo entered the fray in the 58th minute, injecting fresh energy and attacking impetus into the team. The substitutions paid dividends as Remo Stars began to dominate possession and create more incisive attacks.
The pressure finally yielded the equalizer in the 70th minute when Abubakar Ibrahim, instrumental in creating chances throughout the match, found the back of the net. This goal invigorated the champions and spurred them on to search for the winning goal. Their persistence paid off just seven minutes later when substitute Samson Olasupo struck, giving Remo Stars a 2-1 lead and completing their impressive comeback.
In the final stages of the match, Kun Khalifat rallied, seeking an equalizer to salvage a point. However, Remo Stars’ defense remained resolute, thwarting their opponents’ attempts and holding firm to secure a vital victory. This win propelled them up the league table, accumulating four points from their opening two matches and signaling their intent to defend their title.
The contrasting fortunes of the two teams were evident in their positions on the NPFL table. Remo Stars’ victory placed them comfortably in the top half, highlighting their championship pedigree and ambition. Kun Khalifat, despite a commendable 0-0 draw against Rangers International in their opening fixture, found themselves in 15th position with only one point from two games. While the season is still in its nascent stages, the victory provided Remo Stars with a platform for a strong title defense, while Kun Khalifat will need to regroup and build on their initial positive result to navigate the challenges of top-flight football. The match served as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the NPFL, showcasing the ability of underdogs to challenge established powers while highlighting the resilience and tactical acumen of defending champions.
