For the first time in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Ikorodu City and Remo Stars will clash in another installment of the Southwest derby on Sunday (today), as the 2024/25 season enters match-day 17, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Since the days of Stationery Stores and Julius Berger, down to the era of 3SC and Sunshine Stars, rilvaries are usually restocked in the southwest region of Nigeria, with Remo leading the charge since bursting to the scene in 2019.
The Ikenne-based club have particularly enlivened the battles against the likes of 3SC, Sunshine Stars and most recently Sporting Lagos, yet another installment awaits them at the Mobolaji Johsnson Arena, against one of the newest but perhaps the most daring club in the NPFL.
Today’s meeting comes at a perfect time for both clubs, with Ikorodu City currently enjoying their unbeaten run at home while Remo Stars are also currently at the top of the table.
The Mobolaji Johnson Arena would have easily passed as a slaughter house for any opponents coming up against Ikorodu City, but the two home defeats they suffered against Rangers and Nasarawa United earlier in the season have taken that shine away from them.
However, the newly promoted side have not blinked at home since then, having won six out of their eight home games this season.
Bendel Insurance, Rivers United, Lobi Stars, 3SC, El-Kanemi Warriors and Akwa United have all been taken to the cleaners at the ground, a factor that has boosted the confidence of their interim coach, Nurudeen Aweroro, who’s been able to stead their ship.
“I don’t want to believe there is any big team coming here that we won’t score against with the form we and now,” Aweroro said ahead of the game.
“We are going to continue where we stopped and make our fans happy.”
On the other hand, Remo Stars have managed two away wins this season, beating Abia Warriors and Kano Pillars 2-0 on front of their fans and are hoping to add one more to that number this campaign.
“The clash against Ikorodu City is one of the fixtures we have been looking forward to this season,” stand in coach, Sulaimon Kamil told Remo Stars media.
“We face them during the pre season tournament which they almost got the better of us.
“The game against Ikorodu City in the NPFL this weekend will be different we are going to beat them in Lagos.”
Missing players
Due to the ongoing Super Eagles B camp ahead of the CHAN qualifiers against Ghana, both clubs will be missing key players for the derby.
While Ikorodu City will only miss the services of their captain and right-back, Waliu Ojetoye, Remo Stars have four key players in the national team camp. They are captain Junior Nduka, Sikiru Alimi, Jide Fatokun and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.
Ikorodu City coach, Aweroro however believes the absentees won’t water down the flavour of the derby.
“There is no advantage of playing without captains or any other players. Waliu has been consistent no doubt but we have capable replacements.
“For Remo Stars too, I believe they will also have replacements for their players on national team duty.”