Remo Stars Football Club have gained promotion back into the Nigeria Professional Football League today after the Sky Blue Stars played out a 2-2 draw against Bendel Insurance at the Cathedral, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
The encounter which was supposed to take place on Saturday afternoon was halted due to the unsportsmanlike attitude of the Benin Arsenals before the Nigeria Football Federation pushed that it should be played on Sunday morning.
Before this encounter, Remo Stars already defeated Ekiti United 3-0 and played a 1-1 draw with Shooting Stars. While, Bendel Insurance lost 2-1 to Shooting Stars and played out a 1-1 draw with Ekiti United.
The Benin Arsenals started the game brightly with Imade Osarekhoe pushed to give his side the lead but Ali Isa headed out to safety.
Bendel Insurance continued to mount pressure on the Sky Blue Stars but this time, Bankole Kayode was active to deny the Benin Arsenals yet again.
Remo Stars gradually gained confidence and control of the game forcing Bendel Insurance back to their half, Isah Ali sent a long pass towards Anakwe Arinze, he flicked in towards Adedayo Olamilekan, and he was infringed.
The brightest of chance rolled towards Olasupo Samson, he fought his way upfront and through on goal but Benjamin Tanimu shield him off the ball.
The Sky Blue Stars continued to push forward as Ismail Sodiq took a free kick into Bendel Insurance’s box and Anakwe Arinze’s chance to give his side the lead went wide.
In the 32nd minute, Bendel Insurance got the first goal in the game after Sarki Ismael took a corner kick which was properly cleared and Imade Osarekhoe pounced on the loose ball with a rocket shot.
Few minutes later, Remo Stars got back on level terms after Olasupo Samson won a freekick for the Sky Blue Stars, Ogunribide Oluwaseun took and Nduka Junior beautifully scored a header.
The second half resumed and the Sky Blue Stars took possession of the game, Ogunribide Oluwaseun got a chance to give his side the lead from distance but Amas Obasogie saved for his side.
Remo Stars finally went ahead for the first time in the game after Akanni Qudus’ yeoman’s effort with his left-footed strike ended at the back of the net to throw the Sky Blue Stars in wide jubilation.
Just ten minutes after Remo Stars goal, the Benin Arsenals leveled up through Ojo Tolulope with a deep header to far post.
In the last minutes of the game the Sky Blue tried to go ahead again through Ismail Sodiq after Nduka Junior sent him a low pass but Bendel Insurance defended well to deny Remo Stars.
With the draw, Remo Stars have now returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League for the third time, picking up the last tickets in the playoffs to join Niger Tornadoes, Gombe United and Shooting Stars.