TWO arch rivals with contrasting forms in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League, Remo Stars and 3SC will go head-to-head in a potentially explosive southwest derby at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Wednesday (today).
The fixture comes at a tricky time for both clubs as Remo Stars are second in the table but are currently struggling having won just one of their last five matches. That also included scoring just one goal in their last five games—their last goal dating back to the start of the month.
On the other hand, 3SC are trying to bounce back from their sluggish start to the season which sees them rooted ninth in the table although they have been able to grind out three wins in their last five outings.
Aside from their current forms, history doesn’t favour 3SC in Ikenne, having not won there since 2017 and scoring only once at the home ground of their opponents in four visits since then.
But with Gbenga Ogunbote’s new-look side, the Warriors will be eager to break the jinx and rewrite the narrative, especially with the form of striker Anthony Okachi who has scored in consecutive games for the visitors.
After some time away with the national team, coach Daniel Ogunbodede hopes to solidify his team’s position in the league as well before he returns for CHAN duties in December.
They were able to keep up their tempo in the league but they dropped to second on his return and he would hope their current neighbours Sunshine Stars can help them dent Rivers United’s resurgence in Ijebu Ode, while a win against 3SC will see his side regain the top position.
In other midweek matches, Ikorodu City will hope to extend their unbeaten run to five games when they host El-Kanemi Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena just as Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United will take on each other in a dogfight at the bottom of the table.
