ABEOKUTA – Remo Stars began their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title defence with a 1-1 draw at home to Rivers United on Friday.
The Ikenne-based side came from a goal down to settle for a draw at their temporary home of MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun.
Daniel Ogunmodede, Remo coach, and Finidi George, his Rivers United counterpart, were all smiles and camaraderie before kick-off, but their players were all business in the 2025/26 season opener.
Aniemeke Okon put Rivers ahead before Victor Mbaoma levelled, and both goals came within the first 10 minutes of the pulsating encounter.
The visitors scored the first goal of the season to take the lead in three minutes when Okon, a former Remo Stars player, haunted his ex-employers with a glancing header beyond Obassa for 1-0 to Rivers United.
The hosts responded with the equaliser five minutes later through Mbaoma, the striker slammed home Samuel Anakwe’s through ball into the box for 1-1.
The goal is Mbaoma’s 52nd career NPFL goal, 16 of them for Remo Stars. However, the forward, who returned to Remo after two years with APR FC in Rwanda, was replaced by Adama Goita, another new signing, at 21 minutes due to injury.
Both sides traded chances in the second half, with Anekwe dazzling for the hosts, who were held at bay by the visitors. Rivers United finished the match with ten men following a straight red card to Temple Emekayi in added time for dangerous play.
The match ended in a 1-1 scoreline, extending Remo Stars’ home record to 52 matches unbeaten.
The Sky Blues have however failed to secure a win over Rivers United in their last three encounters, and have won just once in 12 meetings.
Remo Stars visit Kun Khalifat FC in Week 2 of the NPFL, with Rivers United to host Kwara United, the 2025 President’s Federation Cup champions.
Addressing newsmen at the post-match press conference, the Remo Stars head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede praised his side performance, attributing their playing away from their home ground in Ikenne to the pressure on his boys.
Ogunmodede who missed about six of his starting XI due to CHAN involvement, noted that the team would continue to do better in the subsequent matches.
