Remo Stars vs Shooting Stars Preview: NPFL rekindle South West derby in Ikenne

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

South West Derby between Remo Stars and Shooting Stars will take centre stage on Wednesday at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

Former Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote makes his first competitive return to his former team.

Ogunbote last season led the Sky Blue Stars to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup after a third-place finish at the end of the 2021/2022 NPFL season.

The club didn’t renew his contract after the historic feat as he returned to Ibadan to team up with Shooting Stars.

Remo Stars won its opening two games of the campaign against El-Kanemi Warriors (2-0) and Gombe United (1-0).

The Oluyole Warriors had a slow start to the season with two draws thus far. It bottled a 3-1 lead to settle for a 3-3 draw in the league opener with Plateau United before playing out a barren draw with Kwara United in Ibadan.

The reverse fixture last season ended 1-0 in favour of the Ikenne-Remo-based side thanks to Nduka Junior’s second-half free kick the last time both sides met albeit in the pre-season Optimal Energy Gold Cup final, the game ended 0-0 with Remo claiming the triumph on penalties.

Remo Stars had a better head-to-head record against Shooting Stars with two wins and four draws from the last six competitive games.

With Bendel Insurance securing its third straight win last weekend in Ibadan against Kwara United, Daniel Ogunmodede’s side will need a win to keep up pressure on Group A leaders.

The Oluyole Warriors needs positive result in Ikenne to get its season back on track after a slow start.

Remo Stars have the upper hand but a draw won’t be a bad result for Shooting Stars before returning to Ibadan to face El-Kanemi Warriors on January 29.

A win for Remo Stars will boost its confidence ahead of the top-of-the-table clash with Bendel Insurance on January 28. Will Remo Stars maintain its perfect start to the season or Ogunbote return to hurt his former side? Time will tell.

Group A

Remo Stars (2nd) vs Shooting Stars (7th)

Form Guide:

Remo Stars – WW

Shooting Stars – DD