Remo Stars, owned by renowned football investor and business mogul Honourable Kunle Soname, have secured their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title following a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Niger Tornadoes at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The Sky Blue Stars’ path to glory became clearer on Friday after Rivers United, whom they were leading by seven points, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Kano Pillars, with goals from Ahmed Musa and Rabiu Ali.
With three games still to spare, the Daniel Ogunmodede-led side knew that a win at home would seal the title, and they delivered in style. The victory came six minutes before the final whistle through a goal by Olamilekan Adedayo, ensuring their place in history. The win also coincided with Soname’s 59th birthday, making the achievement even more special.
With the victory, Remo Stars now have an unassailable 68 points, 10 points ahead of second-placed Rivers United, who sit on 58 points with just three matches remaining in the season.
Soname, one of Africa’s most prominent sports investors, owns multiple clubs, including Remo Stars Ladies in the Nigeria Women Football League, Nigeria’s second-tier club Beyond Limits, and Portuguese side C.D. Feirense, alongside numerous other investments.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, congratulated Soname on his 59th birthday, which coincided with his side’s historic NPFL title win. Olopade lauded Soname for his contributions to Nigerian sports, calling him a rare and invaluable figure in the country’s sports ecosystem.
“I want to wish my brother and friend, Kunle Soname, a very fruitful and happy birthday,” Olopade said in a statement. “Soname is one of Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs and sports investors, and his commitment to developing Nigerian sports is unparalleled. He is a major contributor to our sports economy, and we are proud to be associated with him.”
Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, celebrated Soname’s achievements, describing him as a “proprietor of a number of football clubs in the country.”
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“We celebrate Kunle Soname for his significant investments in football across Nigeria, Africa, and the world,” Gusau said. “Owning four clubs across continents and genders is no small feat. His love for the game is evident, and his investments, including the Remo Stars Sports Institute, mark him as a serious and dedicated investor.”
In other NPFL news, Abia Warriors remain in third place with 56 points after a 3-1 win over Shooting Stars, while Ikorodu City, in fourth, lost 2-1 to Akwa United. Akwa United’s win moves them to 41 points but they still remain in 18th place. Sunshine Stars also triumphed 2-0 over Katsina United.
Elsewhere, Bayelsa United edged past El Kanemi Warriors 2-1, and Heartland suffered a 1-0 defeat to Nasarawa United in Gombe. Enyimba stunned Rangers International 2-1 in Enugu, while Kwara United demolished Lobi Stars 4-0 in Ilorin, and Plateau United overcame Bendel Insurance 2-1 in Jos.
Matchday 36, set for May 7th, will be pivotal for teams vying for CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup spots, as well as for those battling relegation. Lobi Stars’ relegation to the lower league is the only certainty so far.
