Remo Stars head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has talked up the ‘rivalry’ between him and his friend Fidelis Ilechukwu.
Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu are close pals off the pitch but on Sunday they will be in opposing dugouts fighting for points and bragging rights.
Last season, the Remo Stars coach edged the tactical battle between both men with a win and a draw against Plateau United, the team Ilechukwu managed last season.
Fidelis has since moved to Rangers and will be leading his new team to Ikenne where they will be looking to build on their win from the opening match day.
But Ogunmodede whose side will be playing their first game of the season after getting last week off because of Rivers United‘s continental engagement wants his team to start the season with a win at home.
Friendly Banter Or Budding Rivalry?
In his pre-match press conference previewing the clash, the 43-year-old was asked about his friendship with Ilechukwu and the will to win that they both share.
“Fidelis is my very good friend, one of the closest to me on the job,” he answered. “I think his heart was punctured last season and he would like to come here and get revenge.”
“Over the last few days, I’ve been trying to reach him but he’s not taking my calls. He’s already in match mode but I’m sorry, I want my 3 points.”
24 hours earlier, Ilechukwu had posited that Remo had an advantage going to the game because he was yet to see them play this season but Ogunmodede thinks otherwise.
A reunion of friends
A battle of suits and swag
A battle of branding
A battle of banter
A battle of tactics
A battle for 3 pointsOgunmodede x Ilechukwu to serve it all today.
— NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) October 8, 2023
“I think they(Rangers) have the advantage,” the Remo coach said. “They have played a game already and encountered problems to which he proffered solutions.
“We have not even started our season and we know match fitness is different from training fitness.”
Ogunmodede whose team finished second last season is hoping to go one step higher this term.
“We have done promotion from the NNL, finished 3rd and then 2nd in the NPFL in the last three seasons. We want to take the next step now while maintaining the culture of the team.
“There’s no pressure on me to perform and I’m not putting the young lads under pressure. However, it’s important we perform cause we are no longer in the developmental phase.