R emo Stars have opened up a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League standings after securing a 2-0 win over Kwara United in a tense Matchday 25 clash on Thursday.
In a match that saw their rivals 3SC drop points, Remo Stars capitalized on the opportunity to extend their advantage, although it wasn’t a smooth ride. The Sky Blue Stars, despite dominating possession, had to wait until the latter stages of the game to seal the win with goals from Samuel Anaekwe and Haruna Hadi.
A Nervy First Half
The match began at a brisk pace, with Remo Stars looking to put the game to bed early. Tochukwu Michael rattled the woodwork in the 12th minute, while Sikiru Alimi’s strike in the 22nd minute was also denied by the post.
Togolese striker Franck Mawuena thought he had given Remo the lead in the 25th minute, heading in a corner kick, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. Despite the pressure, Kwara United held firm, and Remo could not break the deadlock before the break.
Second-Half Breakthrough
In the second half, Remo Stars continued to press, with Captain Junior Nduka coming close to scoring from a free kick in the 55th minute, only for the post to deny him. Despite creating several opportunities, Daniel Ogunmodede’s men struggled to find the back of the net.
However, a pivotal change in the 79th minute proved decisive. Anaekwe, who had come on as a substitute, broke the deadlock with a header from a spilled ball by Kwara United’s goalkeeper following Nduka’s free kick. In stoppage time, another substitute, Haruna Hadi, sealed the win by poking home a loose ball from a low shot by Ibrahim Shuaib.
A Step Closer to Glory
The win saw Remo Stars extend their lead to 51 points after 25 matches, moving 10 points clear of second-placed 3SC, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Lobi Stars earlier in the week.
Remo’s next match sees them travel to Nasarawa United on Wednesday, where they will aim to build on this important victory as they close in on the NPFL title.
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