By Mbah Emmanuel Nnaemeka
Kun Khalifat’s maiden “home” appearance in the Nigeria Premier Football League ended in late heartbreak, as defending champions Remo Stars SC came from behind to seal a 2–1 victory in Aba on Match Day 2.
Forced to play away from their natural base in Owerri due to renovation works at Dan Anyiam Stadium, the newcomers looked right at home early on. Their intensity was rewarded in the 15th minute when striker Henry Ezeonye was clipped inside the box by Remo’s onrushing goalkeeper. The forward stepped up and coolly converted from the spot, sparking rapturous scenes among their traveling fans.
Kun Khalifat carried that slim lead into the break, their backline repelling wave after wave of pressure from the champions. It was a gritty and disciplined first-half display that hinted at a potential upset.
But Remo Stars showed why they remain the benchmark of the NPFL. Returning from the tunnel with renewed purpose, they dominated possession and stretched Kun Khalifat’s resistance. The introduction of Haruna Hadi midway through the second half proved decisive, as his movement unsettled the Imo side’s backline.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 70th minute when Ibrahim Abubakar calmly finished from close range to silence the Aba crowd. Just eight minutes later, Remo completed the turnaround through Samson Olasupo, who reacted quickest to a loose ball and smashed home the winner.
From then on, Remo’s composure and big-game experience came to the fore. They slowed the tempo, managed possession, and saw out the contest with minimal fuss, underscoring why they are champions.
For Kun Khalifat, the result was painful but also a valuable lesson in NPFL football’s ruthless demands. Their spirited display, particularly in the first half, suggests they have the fight to survive and grow in the topflight. For Remo Stars, it was a familiar story—resilient, ruthless, and clinical when it mattered most.
📊 Match Stats
Possession: Kun Khalifat 39% – 61% Remo Stars
Corners: 3 – 8
Yellow Cards: 0 – 3
Red Cards: 0 – 0
