Runners-up in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League, Remo Stars, will face newly promoted side Ikorodu City in the final of the first pre-season tournament of this summer in Nigeria on Wednesday (today) at the Remo Stars Stadium Ikenne, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The final clash promises a sign of what to expect between both southwest clubs who will create another rivalry in the region when the 2024/25 season kicks off on August 31.
To advance to the final, Ikorodu City stunned former NPFL champions Rivers United, beating them 3-2 in a five-goal thriller on Tuesday while Remo Stars required penalties to edge Sudanese champions Al-Meririkh 3-2 after regular time ended 1-1.
Rivers’ new signing Kabiru Abdullahi put Finidi George’s men ahead in the fifth minute but Ikorodu City responded with two goals courtesy of Tosin Oyedokun and Emmanuel Solomon before halftime.
Emmanuel Nanji restored parity for Rivers in the second half and Solomon was on target again to win the game 3-2 for Ikorodu City.
In the second semi-final match, Super Eagles goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke went off injured as his Sudanese club played out a 1-1 draw against Remo Stars.
Remo Stars goalkeeper Adebiyi Obasa was the hero of the shootout, saving three spot kicks to help his team reach the final.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
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