Rivalry never ends. And this is why the Israel-Hamas war has spilled up again. Israel and Palestine have been at war over land ownership for decades.Â
The battle for pride, revenge and territorial dominance between both nations show rivalry never truly ends. Despite the interventions of international bodies in the disagreement, both parties have simply not just come to an agreement.
This is the sort of war we witness on football pitches. Although, there are no blood shed or perhaps there is blood shed but no life is at least lost in the process.
The Milan derby, the Manchester derby, the North London derby, the Soweto derby, the Casablanca derby – these are some of the most intense derbies we have around in the football world.
In Nigeria, the Oriental derbies, the Kardashian derby (Kano Pillars/Katsina United) have been the biggest of derbies. But the competitiveness between Remo Stars and Sporting Lagos is beginning to brew into the top list of derbies in the country.
The fourth week of the 2023/2024 NPFL season is set to have the first taste of one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season. It is a game where everything will be served on the night and we are all set to be entertained.
Remo Stars v Sporting Lagos: The New School Derby
These two teams are two of the most talked about clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League at the moment.Â
They have brought glamour, entertainment and the media presence Nigerian football fans have craved for over the years. So this is a derby that is both on and off the pitch.Â
Since Sporting Lagos gained promotion to the topflight in June, both teams have clashed up three times with the noisy Lagosians edging the head to head by 2 to 1 wins.Â
So, you saw us and didn’t greet but looked away?!
There goes your L in both derby games next season ?#WeAreRemoStars https://t.co/HxfJiioa6p
— Remo Stars Sports Club (@RemoStarsSC) July 4, 2023
The Lagos based side defeated Remo Stars twice(in the group stage and in the finals) in the Naija Super8 preseason tournament in Lagos while Sky Blue Stars only win was at Ikenne during the Value Jet preseason tournament.
Although this is their first ever official meeting in the league, the two teams are already fired up for revenge, pride and regional dominance.Â
Ogunmodede-Offor tactical battle
Remo Stars and Sporting Lagos boast of two of the youngest coaches in the league – Daniel Ogunmodede and Paul Offor. The coaches have graced the league with their charisma, hunger and tactics and they have got fans glued to their TV screens in previous meetings.
This will be Ogunmodede’s second season in the NPFL, his first he finished as runner-up and now his aim is something bigger-the title. For Offor, this is a test of everything he has as a coach.Â
Ogunmodede’s trademark 3-5-2 formation will be up against Offor’s 4-3-3 line up. There are times where Offor often switches his formation during the game to absorb the opponent’s plans.
Offor’s low block style has somewhat paid off this season as they are yet to concede a goal in three matches. However, they might need to work harder in front of goal as they have only scored twice.Â
For Ogunmodede, defensive solidity is what he will need to focus on. His side have shipped 5 goals in three games. That part of the pitch is a huge worry for the gaffer ahead of such a tie where moments could define it.
Both coaches are tactics masters so it is left to see what they will deploy on the night.Â
Kayode Bankole – Christian Nwoke Super Eagles warÂ
After the howlers by Francis Uzoho during the recent Super Eagles friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, Kayode Bankole and Christian Nwoke names began to trend.
For so many NPFL fans, these two are two of the league based goalkeepers that can replicate the fortunes of Vincent Enyeama with the Super Eagles.
Albeit, Bankole is having a rough patch at the moment with most fans blaming him for the Andy Okpe stunner against Rivers United. He was also dropped in the win at Bayelsa United which further adds to the fact that he is low on confidence.
Akande Abiodun ( Rivers United )
Stanley Nwabili ( Chippa United )
Kayode Bankole ( Remo Stars )
Christian Nwoke ( Sporting Lagos )
Sabastine Osigwe ( FC Lugano ) @Thenff ,we have quality good goaltenders who play week in week out , why is Bench warmers our no1 pic.twitter.com/7Qr1Z2dznV— WeGo (@epalyHarcourt) October 16, 2023
But that aside, Bankole has shown his qualities in the past two seasons of the NPFL. He finished as the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in two previous seasons while making saves upon saves.Â
For Nwoke, he is the only goalkeeper with a 100% clean record in the league this year. His penalty heroics for Sporting Lagos during their promotion battle has not gone unnoticed as well.
He is proving to be that goalkeeper that can do it all in football and even becoming ever reliable as the last line of defence when the team is broken down.
It is a good time for these two to face off. Their moments in the derby might be the defining moments of the game.
Jide Fatokun-Rivio Ayemwenre face off
The midfield will play a very huge role in how the New School derby goes. Both teams like to dominate and play through that area of the pitch. Jide Fatokun, Qudus Akanni, Emmanuel Odafi, Rivio Ayemwenre are a few of the names you will hear constantly in that midfield battle.
Since Adebayo Abayomi got injured, Jide Fatokun had taken up the responsibility of shielding the defense. On Sunday, he will have a huge task doing that and also transiting defense to attack for the Sky Blue Stars.
Jide will be assisted by the energetic Qudus Akanni and Olamilekan Adedayo. The trio have started the last two matches. While the trio try to dominate the midfield, they will work hard to also ensure attacks do not get past them.
Rivio is beginning to influence this game more!!!
— Bobby Ogbolu (@theactorbobby) October 15, 2023
The Sporting Lagos midfield was not rock solid against Doma United last time. Early injury to Chisom Orji perhaps caused that.Henry Ndedi, Rivio and Chinedu Ufere could not really open up the Savannah Tigers.
The energetic Emmanuel Odafi has not started a game this season, maybe Paul Offor was waiting for this tie. Rivio and his teammates will need to be perfect in everything on Sunday if they want to dominate on Sunday.
Jonathan Alukwu against Remo Stars defence
Jonathan has not scored this season but he has been the major outline in attack for Sporting Lagos. He assisted the club’s first ever goal in the topflight – the Rivio header against Gombe United.
Jonathan will fancy his chances against a Remo Stars’ defense who are leaking goals at the moment. He was rested for a larger part of the game against Doma United so he will be gearing to go against a familiar foe
He will have the company of Saturday Okon, Godwin Odibo, Junior Lokosa and if fit enough, Chisom Orji in attack for the game.
I think I peed a little describing this winner by Jonathan Alukwu. ? #NaijaSuper8 pic.twitter.com/IHmVatoDx4
— Emmanuel Etim (@Emiearth) July 14, 2023
Remo’s defence have two youngsters in the lineup -Stanley Joseph and Ahmed Akinleye alongside ever present captain Junior Nduka. The youngsters will be hoping to write their names in the hearts of fans with such a game.
Sikiru Alimi versus Sporting Lagos solidified backline
Sikiru Alimi is the man in form for Remo Stars. Unlike last season where he was battling injuries at Shooting Stars, he seems to have found his scoring boot with his second stint in Ikenne.
Fired up for this clash after scoring at Bayelsa United, his 40th goal in the NPFL, Sikiru will be up against the league’s best defence.
The newest member of the 40+ #NPFL goals club.
SIKIRU ALIMI #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/LF1JVmtA09
— NPFL News ?? (@NPFL_News) October 15, 2023
He will need all of the services from his midfielders and all the experiences he has gathered in the NPFL to break down not only the strong backline but the wall of Christian Nwoke.
Last time in a Remo Stars stripe, he scored against Shooting Stars, so he knows and understands what derbies are.Â
For Nwoke and his defence line, this is going to be a bigger task for them than the Akwa United game. They will be under lots of pressure and they must remain solid at every moment.
Remo Stars v Sporting Lagos: Team news
Both teams will miss a couple of players ahead of this derby. A few players limped off for Sporting Lagos against Doma United while Remo Stars still have a list of long absentees.
Chisom Orji and Patrick Egeonu were stretched out against Doma United. The two might not make it in time for this game. The duo join left back Emeka Nwokeji who also missed the action against Doma United.
For Remo Stars, long absentee, Isah Ali remains sidelined. He is joined by Fabian Nworie, Isaac James, Victor Collins, Seun Odunsi and Ayomide Ogungbe.
Barring any last minute injury, these are the players sidelined.
Remo Stars v Sporting Lagos: Fixture details
The first phase of the New School derby will be going down in Ikenne at the Remo Stars stadium. Kickoff is 4pm, WAT. It will also be streamed live on the NPFL Live app.