NPFL: “Victory over El-Kanemi will push us far”- Remo Stars captain Nduka Junior

Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji

Remo Stars captain, Nduka Junior is confident that the 2-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors in the team’s first match of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will push his side to greater heights.

Goals from Samuel Anakwe and Ezekiel Edidiong in either half lifted the Ikenne-Remo-based side to a 2-0 win on Sunday and the Sky Blue Stars skipper is sure that the win will serve as a morale booster ahead of the next game.

“It’s a good thing for us winning 2-0 without conceding is a good start for us,” Junior told Nigeriafootball.ng.

“This victory will shoot us far above our expectations. We will take every game step by step as they come. This game was just like a final Cup for us before we progress to the next game.”

Remo Stars finished third on the NPFL last season to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in the club’s history – just a season after gaining a topflight promotion from Nigeria National League (NNL).

Following a bright start to the new campaign at home, Junior remains modest with his expectations, stressing that his side’s focus is on retaining their topflight status at the end of the current season.

“For now, we just want to maintain our slot and end well because it’s an abridged league. You never can tell as this is just our first game. We never can tell where we might end at the end of the season,” he continued.

“For now, we just want to maintain our slot against next season. We are ready. Though we are not there yet compared to last season, we have great players than last season. I think we will definitely go far.”

In a reward for his commitment and loyalty, club management presented a brand new car to Junior and the captain cannot hide his heartfel joy over the kind gesture from the team officials.

“I want to commend the management of the club for that great gift. I am really excited,” he admitted.

“When we were still playing in the Nigeria National League, I told them that we are going to play in the Premier League and if possible play on the continent which happened.”

In the same vein, President of Remo Stars Kunle Soname has also poured ecomiums on captain Junior for his amazing leadership.

“I said when I gifted the car to him that he has acted in a proper manner that is expected of a top professional,” Soname said after presenting the brand new car.

“Such people must be encouraged. I hoped that it would be something for other people to learn from and probably emulate.  We know how players jump from clubs immediately after they see an offer that is 2 Naira above what they are currently earning, they jump without knowing what’s going to happen on the other side.

“Like I keep telling them, the grass always seems greener on the other side. It is when you get there that you realise that it was looking greener from afar but actually not good.”

Nduka Junior started playing for Remo Stars at under-17 level. He was appointed vice-captain of the club ahead of the 2019/2020 Nigeria National League season behind club captain Saheed Lasisi.

Nduka Junior’s first game as captain came in the first game of that season, on 25 November, 2019 and he marked it with the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win against Lamray United F.C.

On 26 September, 2021 under Nduka Junior’s captaincy Remo Stars gained promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League.