● Praise epic victory as worthy birthday gift to club’s founder, Soname
The Organizing Committee of the Southwest Games has extended hearty congratulations to Remo Stars Football Club following their momentous win of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title. The Ikenne-based club sealed their first-ever topflight crown with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday during their match-day 35 encounter.
The win, achieved before a jubilant home crowd at the Remo Stars Stadium, secured the title with three matches to spare thus engraving the club’s name indelibly into Nigerian football history. It marks the first time in 29 years that a team has clinched the NPFL title with games remaining, a feat last accomplished by Udoji United FC under Oscar Udoji in 1996.
In a deeply heartfelt goodwill message, Dr. Lanre Alfred, Chairman of the Southwest Games, paid glowing tribute to the team’s remarkable achievement.
“Today, we celebrate Remo Stars’ much deserved victory, and also the triumph of vision, hard work, and the team’s indomitable spirit,” Alfred said. “Congratulations to the entire Remo Stars family for achieving this extraordinary milestone. Your dedication, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence have been nothing short of inspiring. You have shown that dreams, when pursued with discipline and courage, can indeed become reality.
“The triumph of Remo Stars is a victory for every young boy dreaming on the dusty fields of our towns and cities,” Alfred said. “It tells them that with hard work, discipline, and the right support, greatness is within reach.”
Alfred also reserved special praise for the club’s founder and owner, Hon. Kunle Soname, whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in the club’s meteoric rise.
“To Hon. Kunle Soname, I extend a heartfelt salute,” he continued. “Your commitment to building a football institution grounded in excellence has borne glorious fruit. Your belief in youth, your investment in infrastructure, and your personal passion for the beautiful game have culminated in this historic moment. That this victory coincides with your 59th birthday makes it all the more poignant; a fitting gift to a man who has supported the dreams of so many others. May this triumph be the first of many greater victories to come.”
Remo Stars’ historic title was secured thanks to a crucial goal scored by Adebayo Olamilekan Sulaiman, whose heroics on the pitch will be remembered for generations. His decisive strike against Niger Tornadoes not only delivered the victory but also ignited scenes of emotional celebration throughout the stadium and beyond.
The club’s success also carries immense significance for the Southwest region of Nigeria. Remo Stars have become the first team from the region to win the NPFL title since the storied triumph of Julius Berger FC in 2000, restoring regional pride and inspiring a new generation of young footballers across Ogun State and the Southwest at large.
Under the astute guidance of Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede, the Remo Stars a.k.a Sky Blues have dazzled fans throughout the season with their attractive brand of football, tactical discipline, and dogged spirit. With 10 points now separating them from second-placed Rivers United, Remo Stars have set a high standard for excellence in the Nigerian domestic game.
Their journey this season has been defined by a steely resolve to overcome challenges, especially fierce competition from traditional powerhouses and the ever-present unpredictability of the NPFL.
As the celebrations continue in Ikenne and beyond, the Southwest Games Organizing Committee noted that Remo Stars’ success serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through unity, vision, and collective purpose.
