NPFL: Daniel Ogunmodede reflects on slim Remo Stars win over Bayelsa United

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has backed his players and commended them after a 1-0 win over Bayelsa United in their last Nigeria Premier Football League encounter on Saturday.

The first half of the match was a cagey affair before substitute, Adams scored the winner in the second period of the game and Ogunmodede admits he expected the first-half struggles from his returning players.

“We have about six regular players starting the game after a long time [over two months now]. Some out of accumulated cautions, breaks, and injuries. What do you expect? They will be match rusty,” Ogunmodede told journalists after the match.

“No doubt about that. Training fitness is different from match fitness and league fitness. I think they need more of the league fitness and they can get that gradually. It’s like charging a battery which takes time to accumulate.

“Sodiq is not getting himself so we expect a sloppy first half. It is not a bad thing because these are the weapons I will use till the end of the season. They need to face the battle now to know how it tastes and know what is ahead of us.

“We have been able to see that in the second half, we came in smoking which was what we wanted.”

The Sky Blue Stars finished in the first three positions in the last two seasons before ending in second position when the 2022/2023 campaign ended, and now aiming to fight for the title following their meteoric rise.

“Our position is not in the fifth before this match. That is not what our status states with what we put into the game as players, coaches, and administratively, I think it is embarrassing to be in the fifth position,” he continued.

“We came in the second half to show the world it is actually not our position. Good performance from Ahmed Akinyele, the young lad. He did well. He was also coming back after five yellow card suspensions and growing gradually. I am happy for him. He got a heart and is brave like his coach.

“Jide Fatokun is another animal you can find in the midfield anytime that plays strictly to instructions but in all for me, I would salute the courage of the team as a unit from the captain with excellent leadership. We need to give it to them. They were lucky to go with one and we are happy to get the maximum three points.

“Of course, I grumble more than them [fans]. I needed to win more than they do I don’t know what they think. We are here to make them happy. You saw me sweating. I want to win and they also want us to win. If things are not going well, you should expect them to talk. The most important thing is we getting our maximum three points after the game.”

The team will next travel to Lagos to face Sporting Lagos in the South West derby next weekend as they continue their quest to win the league title for the first time.