Remo Stars extend Babaganaru’s wait for points as Akwa United coach
In a crucial Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) showdown on Saturday evening, Remo Stars secured a 2-1 victory over Coach Muhammad Babaganaru tutored Akwa United FC at the Ikenne Stadium.
The win propelled Remo Stars from fourth position to the temporary second spot on the league table, pending the outcome of other match day 29 fixtures.
Akwa United have been grappling with relegation concerns this season.
Despite a glimmer of hope following their recent 2-1 away triumph against Plateau United, their resurgence has taken a halt since the appointment of Coach Muhammad Babaganaru who has lost both games in charge of the former Nigerian champions.
The encounter in Ikenne began with a fairly balanced exchange between the two sides. However, Remo Stars seized the initiative when Akwa United’s Cameroonian import, Gerome Heutchou, committed a contentious foul on Abayomi Adedayo.
Despite receiving a caution earlier in the match, Heutchou escaped a possible second yellow card. Nevertheless, Remo Stars capitalized on the resulting free kick, with Abayomi Adebayo expertly curling the ball into the net to break the deadlock.
Just before halftime, Remo Stars extended their lead as Sikiru Alimi converted a penalty kick awarded following a foul on Dayo Ojo, giving the home side a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Determined to stage a comeback, Akwa United displayed renewed vigor in the second half. Their efforts paid off when Heutchou redeemed himself by curling a free kick into the net from the edge of the box, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Despite their spirited fightback, Akwa United failed to find the equalizer, ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Remo Stars.
