Remo Stars head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has revealed the intense emotional, psychological, and social battles his team overcame to secure their first-ever Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.
The Ikenne-based club clinched the championship with a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes last Sunday, establishing an unassailable 10-point lead over second-placed Rivers United with three matches to spare.
Speaking as a guest during George Essien’s record-setting 100-hour sports broadcast on Comfort FM, Ogunmodede credited the team’s success to unwavering support from club owner, Kunle Soname, and the extraordinary efforts of his players.
“In this second round, we fought hard to maintain our focus,” Ogunmodede said. “At a point, we were 12 points clear, but I knew we had a tough task ahead. The past seasons where we fell short as runners-up haunted us, and that became a driving force. This was more than a physical challenge—it was psychological.”
Ogunmodede, also an assistant coach with the Super Eagles, admitted the pressure of previous near-misses weighed heavily on him throughout the campaign.
“We once lost the title by just a goal difference. That memory kept ringing in my ears. I told the boys, ‘We must not bottle it again.’ It became a psycho-social task, and it worked.”
He hailed Soname’s long-standing support, describing the chairman as a stabilizing force who allowed him to focus on football without interference.
“He only asks if I’m sure of my decisions. Once I say yes, he backs me completely. His belief in me has remained firm for over a decade.”
Ogunmodede also reserved high praise for his players, calling them “abnormal” in their commitment and discipline.
“The only challenge I face is myself. I’m condemned to deliver because of the trust placed in me. My players are not regular human beings—that’s why they’re champions today.”
With this triumph, Remo Stars become the first privately-owned club since Udoji United in 1999 to win the NPFL title.
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