Although there are 15 more matches to go in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, it appears as if the time has come for Remo Stars to make history in the Nigerian topflight. At the moment, the Sky Blue Stars are sitting majestically on the top of the log with 48 points from 23 matches, followed by regional rivals 3SC of Ibadan with 40 points from the same number of matches. Rivers United, who swapped the top spot with Remo Stars several times at the start of the season, are now trailing the leaders with 38 points in third position. The ‘Pride of Rivers’ coached by Finidi George are 10 points adrift of Remo Stars.

It may be too early to declare that Remo Stars will be crowned champions of the NPFL at the end of the season, but going by their present form and consistent performances over the years, there is every reason for optimism.

Founded in 2004 by a business mogul and Nigerian billionaire, Kunle Soname as FC Denders, the club got promoted to the second tier, Nigeria National League (NNL) in 2010. Remo Stars made their debut in the NPFL in 2016 but returned to the lower division almost immediately after they were relegated in 2018. However, since the Blue Stars returned to the NPFL in 2021, they have become serious title contenders in each of the seasons.

The same season they returned to the NPFL, Remo Stars amassed 62 points to finish third while Rivers United won their first title with four matches to spare. In the following season, Remo Stars finished as runners up at the Super 6 Championship playoff in Lagos, where Enyimba clinched their ninth title.

Displaying uncommon consistency, in the 2023/2024 season, Remo Stars garnered 65 points to finish as runners up again behind current title holders, Enugu Rangers. So, from the 2021/2022 season, Remo Stars have consistently represented Nigeria in the continent.

It must be noted that since the demise of historic clubs like Iwuanywanwu Nationale, Abiola Babes, Ranchers Bees, Gabros, Jasper United and FC IfeanyiUbah, Remo Stars is the only privately owned club that is giving the government-owned teams in the NPFL a run for their money.

Inarguably, the most organised club in the NPFL, Remo Stars, backed by their billionaire sponsor, are operating at a different level. The club is not a charity organisation like most of the NPFL clubs have become. It is business-oriented and boasts of the highest level of professionalism. This is not surprising because apart from his rising profile in African football, the man, Soname owns a club in the Portuguese league. So, Remo Stars have the structure of most European clubs.

For instance, the Sky Blue Stars are the first and only private club to own a stadium in the Nigerian league. And it is not just a stadium because the 5,000 capacity stadium boasts of ultra-modern facilities that can host any international competition. No wonder the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) now camps almost all the national teams at the Remo Stars Sports complex at Ikenne.

Apart from their breathtaking facilities, only the best players are considered good enough to play for Remo Stars. At the moment, when players are invited to the national teams, Remo Stars and the Remo Stars Ladies feature prominently. While team captain, Nduka Junior, Sadiq Ismail and Sikiru Alimi played a key role in Super Eagles’ B qualification for the next African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, Remo Stars technical adviser, Daniel Ogunmodede led the coaching along with his colleague and friend at Enugu Rangers. Even as Eric Sekou Chelle is coming with his foreign assistants, it is expected that Ogunmodede would remain a part of the Super Eagles coaching crew.

From the foregoing, the impressive run of Remo Stars in the current NPFL season cannot be said to be accidental. The club is simply benefitting from a management with a very clear vision. It is, therefore, not a surprise that Remo Stars have so far won 15, drawn three and lost only five matches out of 23 to emerge as favourites for this year’s title. To add ice on the cake, they have recorded the highest number of away victories this season.

In fact, Remo Stars opened their season with a 2-0 victory at Abia Warriors. They followed up with another stunning 2-0 away win against Kano Pillars, while their third and fourth away victories were recorded at Akwa United and Sunshine Stars. To underscore their title credentials, Remo Stars are yet to lose a match at home this season. Their only draw at home was the week 12 match against Rivers United, which ended goalless.

Having opened an eight-point gap at the top of the table with outstanding performances, Remo Stars can win their first title if they maintain their focus. They must avoid distractions and complacency because perennial winners like Enyimba, Rivers United and Enugu Rangers are not going to give up so easily. If they take their foot off the pedal, they would have themselves to blame. But going by what they have shown so far, there is no reason to doubt the fact that Remo Stars would pick up more points on the road before the end of the season.

Even as the season is for them to lose, Remo Stars must know that qualifying for the continent is one thing, excelling at that level is a different ball game. On the few occasions they represented Nigeria in CAF inter-clubs competitions, the Sky Blue Stars were simply atrocious. In both Confederation Cup and Champions League outings, they were unable to scale the first hurdles.

So, this is an ignominious record that Remo Stars must strive to erase if they win the 2025 NPFL league title. If they eventually emerge as Nigerian champions but are booted out of the Champions League at the first hurdle by a small club without pedigree, all the heartwarming performances we are seeing would become beautiful nonsense.