Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has rued his team’s 2-1 defeat against reigning champions Rangers International on match-day 24 of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League, noting that their hosts fought like a relegation-threatened team,
Rangers halted the Sky Blue Stars’ eight-game unbeaten run as well as six-game winning streak at the Cathedral on Sunday, thanks to goals from Saviour Isaac and Kingsley Maduforo.
Having lost the first leg 1-0 in Ikenne, Sunday’s win was more like taking their pound of flesh from Remo and the result sent the champions up to third in the table with 38 points.
Despite the defeat, Remo Stars still hold their eight-point gap at the top of the table but Ogunmodede feels the defeat was avoidable.
“It was a good game and I am happy we gave the spectators a good reason to come watch the match,” Ogunmodede said via 54footballX.
“Rangers had to fight for their life. They are the current champions and imagine displacing them. They fought so hard like a team battling relegation.
“We had our opportunities but didn’t take them. Rangers scored in the first half from a brilliant free-kick by Isaac Saviour. Then, just as we were starting to get back into the match in the second half, they scored their second goal, which boosted their confidence and helped them secure the win.
“We came here hoping for a win, but unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side, and we lost.”
His Rangers counterpart, Fidelis Ilechukwu insisted that his team were at their best defensively despite being ravaged by injuries.
“Remo stars, technically, tactically, attacking mentality were better than us in the game but we were better defensively and that is why I decided to go on counter and get the goals,” Ilechukwu said.
“We are happy with the three points. I knew it was going to be a tough game against the league leaders, the best team in Nigeria at the moment, so beating them and ending their unbeaten run, beating my friend, the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, is a big deal.
“We know ourselves already, I told them how important the game was. Remo Stars were on 48 points and we were on 35 points before the game. I told the players that winning this game will help us prove to ourselves, not to anyone else, that we can survive despite our injuries,” he added.
Remo Stars will hope to keep up their lead at the top when they return home to face Kwara United at home in a midweek game today.