Ex-Super Eagles coach keeps NPFL title hopes alive as Remo Stars, Rivers United set for thrilling finale

Rivers United coach Finidi George has refused to throw in the towel with the Port Harcourt-based club trailing leaders Remo Stars heading to the final six games of the 2024-2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The ex-Ajax winger guided Rivers United to a crucial 1-0 victory over Remo Stars in Port Harcourt on Sunday, cutting the gap between the two title-chasing teams to five points.

Bolu Sholumade's 84th-minute header proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

The defender rose highest to nod home a cross from Taiwo Abdulrafiu — both players formerly of Sunshine Stars — in what could prove a pivotal moment in the title race.

It was a first defeat in three games for Daniel Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars, whose impressive season has them dreaming of becoming the first privately-owned club in over a decade to win the NPFL crown.

Still, the Ikenne-based side remains top of the table with 60 points and has a chance to restore their eight-point advantage on Wednesday when they face Lobi Stars in a rescheduled fixture in Enugu.

Despite Remo’s game in hand, Finidi remains upbeat about his team’s chances.

“After this game, I think we have to see how we can win away from home and we can close up the gap,” the former Super Eagles coach said, as per the Punch.

“We will also be looking out for their next result and we will pile the pressure on them.

“We just have to keep pushing to keep piling the pressure on Remo. We will see how things go but for us, we want to keep winning.”

Finidi took over at Rivers United at the start of the season following a short stint as Super Eagles coach.

The 53-year-old had earlier led Enyimba to their ninth league title in 2023 and is now eyeing another domestic triumph with Rivers United — a club born out of the merger between Sharks FC and Dolphins, where he spent his formative football years.

5 points separates Remo Stars from Rivers United with six matches left to the end of the season. The title race might get to the final day pic.twitter.com/UCVAptYidZ

— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) April 6, 2025

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Meanwhile, Ogunmodede is also refusing to panic despite the setback against Rivers United.

The Super Eagles assistant coach is confident that Remo can see out the remaining fixtures and seal a historic first league title in their 15-year existence.

“We lost concentration in split seconds, and we paid for it. We had three glaring chances, and in general, it was a good game for both sides. It showed how much we both wanted it,” Ogunmodede reflected.

“No complications. We also go back to our home and win; we will be back to eight points. We have three more home games, and we will try as much as possible to get maximum points. It’s a fierce competition, and we love it.

“We are almost there. In the next six weeks, we should be talking about this.”

Remo Stars have twice come close in recent seasons, falling short behind Enyimba and Rangers International.

With just six games left, the title race promises a photo finish between two of the NPFL’s most ambitious sides.