THE historical and iconic birthplace of one of Nigeria’s political sage, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ikenne in Ogun State, South West Nigeria is expected to host one of the biggest games of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season this weekend.
The picturesque city of Ikenne is also home to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s current Vice President.
One of the Group A match-ups this weekend is the eye-catching blockbuster encounter between host and NPFL model side, Remo Stars and legendary side, Bendel Insurance, affectionately called Edo Arsenal, the only team yet to taste defeat this season.
The tantalizing and equally tricky MatchDay 14 tie is one that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has ticked all the boxes to ensure it goes hitch-free and lives up to its pre-match hype as a confrontation of top guns.
IMC Head of Operations, Davidson Owumi, described the tie as “a meeting of two model teams of the NPFL in terms of their management approach and performance.”
He, therefore, admonished all gladiators in the fixture to ensure that the game produces a top-rated performance that followers of the NPFL will be proud of and will showcase the beautiful game and Nigeria in a positive and equally glorious light.
“We expect both clubs, their players, officials and supporters of the clubs including the match officials to comport themselves and be true ambassadors of Nigeria’s elite league the NPFL”.
Owumi assured both teams and all football fans expected at the Remo Stars Stadium that the IMC has put in place all required logistics for an excellent experience on match day.
“We consider this match on Sunday as a premium platform to advertise the NPFL given the quality of both sides.
“Remo Stars is a sterling model in private ownership of a professional football club in Nigeria and we are enthused by what they have on ground.
“Bendel Insurance, on the other hand, has also demonstrated that a government-funded club can be innovative and professional in management hence we are expecting top-notch delivery from all especially the supporters of both clubs and most importantly, the match officials”, remarked the IMC Officer.
Insurance sits atop Group A after 13 matches with 27 points while Remo Stars are in contention for one of the three playoff places. They have 22 points.
Remo Stars should have been on 25 points, 2 adrift of Insurance but because they were 3 points and 3 goals penalised for the wayward behaviour of their fans and official during the game against Gombe United, they have to feel the pain of the punishment from the stable of the Interim Management Committee of the League.
Just like the leader, Insurance of Benin City, Remo Stars are yet to win in their last two games.
Their last two outings:
Match Day 12
Plateau United 1 Vs. B. Insurance 1
Match Day 13
Insurance 1 Vs Kwara United 1
Match Day 12
Remo Stars 0 Vs Gombe United 0
Match Day 13
Shooting Stars 1 Vs Remo Stars 1
Eighteen-Eleven Media