Remo Stars Now Top The Standings

A goal in each half ensured that Remo Stars picked up the maximum points available in the crunchy tie against COD United in the Week 14 of the Nigeria National League.

The encounter witnessed familiar faces at the Dipo Dina Stadium as COD United Coach Bode Awakan, Feyishayo Akinbola and Osas Okwunaghae all returned to the team they featured for last season hoping to cause an upset.

Fatai Osho made three changes to the side that lost in Abia against Abia Warriors as Ibukun Araromi returned in goal.

Abiodun Awoyemi and Ahmed Agbogunleri also returned to the starting 11 while Samson Paul retained the task of spear heading the attack as Victor Mbaoma was suspended for this tie.

The game started in an aggressive note as both teams wanted to show quick dominance over the other which saw Feyishayo Akingbola booked in the 4th minute of the game after a tackle on Benjamini Ugochukwu.

The game finally settled and for the first 15minutes the Sky Blue Stars started dominating play and possession but saw their chances limited to set pieces in which Ahmed was dangerous and threatened the COD defence.

Ahmed Agbogunleri opened the scoring in the 17th minutes after he converted a 25yrd stunning free-kick that left COD United goal keeperNathaniel Asibe rooted to the spot.

The 18 yrs old Ogun State born midfielder has been in sensational form this season and the goal marks his 7thgoal of the season.

COD United began to look better after they conceded the goal but were unable to convert their chances as Bature Emmanuel’s effort went wide off target.

5minutes remaining to end the first half, the best chance of the game fell to Dennis Lawrence as a low cross found him in the six yard box only for his effort to be skied over the goalpost.

The first half ended with the Sky blue Stars In the lead courtesy of the 17th minutes strike from Ahmed.

Second half proceeding resumed and COD United were presented with the chance to level scores as Akinbola deep cross found Bature, whose diving header was blocked by the legs of Araromi Ibukun to keep the scores level.

70 minutes into the game the pressure to get the second goal from the Sky Blue Stars began to mount on COD United back and Ahmed’s set pieces began a major problem for the defense of COD and he came close to getting his second as his free-kick went inches wide in the 72nd minute.

Two minutes later Osas Okwunaghae made a vital goal line clearance as Aleem Adebayo’s long cross beat goalie Nathaniel Asibe and found Ahmed whose effort was cleared off the line by Osas.

The second goal finally arrived as Ahmed takes the resulting corner kick from Osas clearance which beat everyone and found Captain Omotayo Adebogun in the far post to head in the second.

The victory sees the Sky Blue Stars go top of the log in Division B.