There was all the time going to be one thing to lose for each Remo Stars and Enugu Rangers on Sunday in a Matchday 4 Nigeria Skilled Soccer League (NPFL) encounter in Ikenne.
Remo Stars had been unbeaten and had not conceded a objective within the three matches, whereas Rangers, defending NPFL champions, had been additionally unbeaten within the league.
The thrilling encounter ended 2-1 in favour of Remo Stars with post-match drama, as each coaches exchanged pointed remarks after the sport.
Enugu Rangers, recent off their victory towards Ikorodu Metropolis final Wednesday, couldn’t replicate that success, falling to Remo Stars on Sunday. Regardless of this loss, Remo Stars conceded their first objective of the season, signalling a good contest.
Alex Oyowah opened the scoring for Remo Stars within the 51st minute, and Kenechukwu Agu equalised for Rangers from the penalty spot within the 56th minute. Nonetheless, Remo Stars rapidly regained the lead with a objective from Raymond Tochukwu simply 5 minutes later, which they held on to until the top, sealing a fourth consecutive league win.
Whereas the sport itself was intense, the post-match reactions of each coaches, Fidelis Ilechukwu of Enugu Rangers and Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars, erstwhile associates and assistant coaches within the Tremendous Eagles setup, stole the highlight.
Ilechukwu’s frustration
Ilechukwu expressed his disappointment through the post-match press convention, criticising Remo Stars for not upholding truthful play through the recreation. He said that his good friend and nationwide workforce colleague, Ogunmodede (Ijaball), proved too determined for a win.
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“I’m disillusioned in Ijaball at present. An enormous disappointment. In soccer, it’s important to worth humanity. You don’t win by all means,” mentioned Ilechukwu. “You advised your participant to ignore truthful play simply to win. We didn’t win the league like that. In soccer, we worth life as a result of it’s a marathon. If we don’t win right here, we are able to win some other place. I don’t need associates who need to win at any price.”
Rangers Head Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu ‘s explosive interview after the defeat to Remo Stars.
“I don’t need to have a good friend that wishes to win by all means. I’m disillusioned with Ijaball”. He mentioned pic.twitter.com/LHJEltVtTH
— Seyi ‘Barrack Boy’ Alao (@alao_seyi) September 30, 2024
– Video by Seyi Alao
Ogunmodede’s response
In response, Ogunmodede disregarded Ilechukwu’s feedback, saying it was pure for his good friend to be upset after the loss. He emphasised that their friendship remained intact, regardless of the strain.
“It’s regular. I don’t anticipate him to be completely satisfied,” Ogunmodede mentioned. “If he’s completely satisfied, then he’s not my good friend, and it means he isn’t devoted to his job. Identical to I used to be extraordinarily unhappy in Enugu final time, now it’s his flip. Let him really feel the disappointment, and he’ll come again. Nothing takes away our friendship.”
I’m a fan of coaches at w@r. NPFL coaches are too calm and I don’t just like the bromance. We want drama.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars coach, @CoachDan_Ijabal and Rangers coach, @FidelisILE served scorching drama.
I find it irresistible. Na why Mourinho na my GOAT. Give us drama. #NPFL25 pic.twitter.com/SinoXAlMuY
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) September 30, 2024
– Video by Tobi Adepoju
This spat might be seen towards the backdrop of the angst between Manchester Metropolis’s Pep Guardiola and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. They had been drawn into heated phrases after Arsenal pressured Metropolis to a 2-2 end result lately on the Etihad.
READ ALSO: NPFL Roundup: Abia Warriors safe first win, Remo Stars keep good run
Remo Stars stay the early frontrunner within the 2024/25 NPFL season with an ideal file of 12 factors, whereas Rangers are down in twelfth place with 4 factors from three matches.
Each coaches are set to reunite through the worldwide break in October, the place they are going to be a part of Coach Austin Eguavoen for nationwide workforce duties.
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