Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC) lost back-to-back for the first time this season as former player, David Onovo got the maximum points for Akwa United at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State in matchday 13 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Head Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote made two changes to the starting XI that lost in Gombe as Adedayo Olamilekan dropped to the bench for Tolulope Ojo and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro was included in the squad.
Both sides didn’t settle into the game early until the 8th minute when Andy Okpe got a beautiful pass on the line to put the host in front but Adewale Adeyinka rescued for his side to keep them on level terms.
Two minutes later, Ifegwu Ojikwu also got a chance to his feet but the ball deflected and the corner kick resulted into nothing.
The visitors got their first opportunity upfront as Dare Ojo dribbled past his marker to slot in for his side but his attempt went wide.
Former Remo Stars forward, David Onovo scored for the visitors after the host failed to clear their lines from Seth Mayi’s corner kick in the 27th minute.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Sky Blue Stars had an opportunity to level things up from Sodiq Ismail’s corner kick but Adewale Adeyinka saved Andy Okpe’s header to maintain their lead going into halftime.
The second half was a different story entirely as substitute, Adedayo Olamilekan tried to make his impact known immediately, he got an opportunity to equalise but his attempt went wide.
Remo Stars continued to mount pressure on the visitors as Andy Okpe’s attempt hit the woodwork and Adewale Adeyinka cleared immediately.
Another golden chance came the Sky Blue Stars way as Dayo Ojo carefully displaced his marker to slot in but Andy Okpe rushed to the ball to put it over the bar.
The host continued to find an equaliser and the opportunity came in the 66th minute as Adedayo Olamilekan dribbled to find his way inside the box and Adewale Adeyinka fouled him inside the box but the referee waved it off to deny the Sky Blue Stars a penalty.
The pressure continued on the visitors as Adedayo Olamilekan tried his luck from distance to put the Sky Blue Stars on level terms with Akwa United but Adewale Adeyinka put his hand to it to deny the host.
Remo Stars continued to find an equaliser as Kayode Bankole sent in a long pass towards Andy Okpe, he flicked it to Dayo Ojo who dribbled his markers, and he returned to Andy Okpe whose attempt hit the woodwork yet again.
In the final minutes of the game, Adedayo Olamilekan was fouled on the edge of the box, Junior Nduka took swiftly but his attempt went wide.
The game ended and the Sky Blue Stars had their first back-to-back loss this season and also their first lost at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Romo, Ogun State.
Next for the Sky Blue Stars is a trip to Markurdi on Monday for the matchday 14 fixtures against Lobi Stars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
