Remo Stars manager and Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede turned an unforgettable night into a romantic family affair after guiding the Ikenne-based side to their first-ever Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title, Soccernet.ng reports.
Remo Stars, founded by businessman Kunle Soname in 2015, sealed their historic success with a narrow 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Remo Stars Stadium on Sunday night — with three games still to play.
Substitute Olamilekan Adedayo struck a stunning 84th-minute winner to send the home fans into raptures and spark scenes of jubilation.
Ogunmodede, in his second spell at the club, masterminded the finest moment in Remo Stars' short history, having overseen a steady progression from third place in 2022 to back-to-back runners-up finishes in 2023 and 2024 before finally capturing the ultimate prize this season.
The emotional scenes at full-time saw Ogunmodede's family join him on the pitch.
His wife leapt into his arms, celebrating their shared journey with hugs and kisses as supporters roared their approval around them.
Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede celebrates winning the NPFL title with wife ❤️ pic.twitter.com/74EIaKTijV
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) April 27, 2025
The couple's children also joined in the celebrations, which was expected to continue long into the night.
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At last, the trophy lands in Ikenne!
— Ismail Sodiq (@Sodiq_Ismail11) April 27, 2025
I’m proud to be part of the historic Remo Stars team that secured our first-ever NPFL title.
A big thank you to the Sky Blue fans, our President, coaches, and my teammates for believing in me every step of the way. pic.twitter.com/3Zc97YUDIw
Remo Stars’ success is not only historic for the club but also significant for Nigerian football.
They are the first privately owned team to lift the NPFL title since Julius Berger FC in 2000 and the first club from southwestern Nigeria to do so since Julius Berger's triumph 25 years ago.
Wake up, stars! ✨ It’s not a dream, we are indeed NPFL Champions!
— Remo Stars Sports Club (@RemoStarsSC) April 28, 2025
This awesome scenes #RemoReigns | #WeAreRemoStars | #NPFL25 pic.twitter.com/5Y298WNOyi
The victory was doubly special for Soname, the club’s founder and owner, who celebrated his 59th birthday on the same day.
Soname, a pioneering entrepreneur, is known for founding Bet9ja, owning ValueJet airlines, and becoming the first Nigerian to purchase a European football club when he acquired Portugal’s C.D. Feirense in 2015.
Finally, the trophy lands in Ikenne!
— Haruna Hadi (@hharuna_16) April 27, 2025
Delighted to be part of the history making team of Remo Stars to win their maiden NPFL trophy, special gratitude to the club's President, Hon Kunle Soname, my family, coaches, teammates, fans for playing a huge role in my career. #Champions pic.twitter.com/67ObpifUGQ
Remo Stars' journey from their 2004 founding as FC Dender to national champions has been one that could be woven into a hit movie or a great book.
Remo Stars make history with first-ever NPFL title, smashing a 25-year record as the first privately-owned club to win since Julius Berger FC in 2000-
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) April 27, 2025
Champions of Nigeria! #RemoReigns #NPFL25 pic.twitter.com/TVQcw9DCiY
After earning promotion to the second-tier Nigeria National League in 2010 and later rebranding, they reached the NPFL for the first time in 2016, suffered relegation in 2018, but bounced back stronger in 2021.
This season, the Sky Blue Stars have amassed 68 points from 35 matches, with 21 wins, five draws, and nine defeats.
Should they win their final three games, they would match the record 77 points set by Rivers United in the 2021–22 campaign.
Remo Stars' title also secures their place in next season’s CAF Champions League, as they look to emulate Enyimba FC’s famous continental triumph of 2004.
