Second-half substitute Olamilekan Adedayo once again proved crucial for Remo Stars, scoring a late winner in their 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes to secure the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title with three games to spare.
Following Rivers United’s slip-up in Kano on Friday, Remo Stars were poised to claim their maiden top-flight title, but they had to grind out a hard-fought win against a determined Tornadoes side battling to avoid relegation.
Remo Stars started brightly, and Alex Oyowah thought he had given them an early lead within five minutes, only for his header to be ruled out for offside. The disallowed goal seemed to temper Remo’s early urgency, and while they dominated possession, they struggled to create clear chances.
Tornadoes also had a glimpse at goal, but Williams Sunday’s effort was comfortably dealt with by Remo goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa, as the first half ended goalless.
Daniel Ogunmodede’s men returned for the second half with greater intent but continued to find Tornadoes’ defense difficult to breach. The visitors made two crucial goal-line clearances early in the half, while Tornadoes goalkeeper Enaholo produced a stunning save to deny Sikiru Alimi’s header in the 61st minute, before Alex Oyowah’s follow-up effort rattled the crossbar.
Oyowah continued to threaten, seeing another header saved and later firing into the side netting after a neat exchange with Kudus Akanni.
Sensing the urgency, Ogunmodede introduced Adedayo and Samson Olasupo in the 79th minute. The change proved decisive, as Adedayo made an immediate impact, unleashing a powerful shot that struck the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line, sparking jubilant celebrations as Remo Stars confirmed their historic first NPFL crown.
Though Niger Tornadoes protested the goal—aware it could significantly dent their survival hopes—there was no denying Remo Stars their place in history. They became the first team from the Southwest to lift the NPFL title since Julius Berger’s triumph in 1991.
The win marked Remo’s 21st victory of the season, taking them to 69 points and opening a 10-point lead over second-placed Rivers United, making them mathematically uncatchable with three games remaining.
