Remo Stars’ Daniel Ogunmodede dreams bright NPFL start against El-Kanemi Warriors

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede is gearing up for a bright start to their 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign at home on Sunday as they face off with newly promoted El-Kanemi Warriors.

“The situation of this country is like a baby expecting Christmas. We are happy that Sunday is our December 25 and have prepared for the opening match,” he told the club’s media.

“We have been working hard and it’s been very hard training for over three months without any competition. Having a competitive game on Sunday for us is a delight. In all sincerity, we are prepared and ready for the battle.”

The first two games of the 2022/2023 league season ended in favour of away teams.

Bendel Insurance defeated Akwa United 2-0 while Enyimba also earned a 2-1 away win over Nasarawa United on Saturday and “Ijaball” as Ogunmodede is fondly called insists there is no room for complacency ahead of the tie.

“Bendel Insurance defeated Akwa United in Uyo last week. We are playing here in Ikenne. Two different matches and venues. With my experience, there can never be the same match with different moments.

El-Kanemi Warriors is from the North while Bendel Insurance is from the East. For us, it’s a tonic not to be complacency and we will try our best. There is no small or big match. Just like my name ‘Ijaball’, there is no room for complacency.

“Nobody will ask you who you fought with. Football is a result-oriented sport. We are not ready to disappoint our fans after a long time of showing them what we can offer. We will continue to take that tonic till Sunday so that we won’t be complacent.”

In their last meeting in 2017, goals from Onuoha Chuwujekwu and Oche Salefu helped Remo to a 2-0 win. El-Kanemi, however won the return leg by same scoreline with goals from Benjamin Ishaya Turba and Anthony Sunday.