Remo Stars defeat Enyimba in Naija Super 8 opener

Remo Stars defeated Enyimba FC 2-1 in the opening game of the 2023 Naija Super 8 tournament.

Enyimba, the newly crowned champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), succumbed to Remo Stars, who finished second in the league, in a keenly contested match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, on Friday.

Remo opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Isaac James with a well-placed shot that sailed beyond the legs of Olorunleke Ojo, Enyimba’s goalkeeper.

The Peoples Elephant responded quickly with an equaliser just five minutes later. Chisom Okereke slotted the ball into the net off a grounder from Nonso Nzediegwu.

After the halftime break, Remo Stars wrestled back the lead as James was also involved in the goal. He raced to the byline before crossing the ball into the path of Seun Ogunribide who had little to do to find the back of the net.

The victory sent Remo Stars to the top of Group A, which has Sporting Lagos and Kastina United.

On Saturday, Akwa United will face Yobe Stars in Group B’s first match before Rivers United plays Lobi Stars later.

The two teams from both groups will qualify for the competition’s semi-final.

The tourney winner will go home with N25 million while the runner-up will get N9 million. Teams will earn N3 million per game.