Remo Stars SC will miss continental football for the first time in five years after crashing out of the Ogun State FA Cup semi-final in a penalty shootout defeat to their own feeder team, Beyond Limits FA, in Ikenne.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side needed a deep Federation Cup run as their most realistic route to Africa. The defeat, which came via a 4-2 penalty shootout loss after a 1-1 draw, ended those hopes.
Beyond Limits, the Remo Stars academy that has established itself as one of Nigeria’s top youth setups, now advances to the state final.
Beyond Limits struck first. Chukwudi Isaac opened the scoring in the sixth minute, capitalising on a through pass from Faruq Ogundare to round the goalkeeper. Remo Stars found their equaliser in the 28th minute through Haruna Hadi, who pounced on a poor defensive clearance to score with a long-range effort.
⚽ Football Scores & Standings
Premier League Scores | Premier League Table | Live Scores | League Tables
The match turned bizarre in the second half. Beyond Limits defender Adebayo Dikko was sent off in the 58th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Unfazed, the academy side continued to trouble their senior counterparts while playing with ten men. The 89th minute saw both teams reduced to ten men when Remo Stars’ Adedayo Olamilekan picked up a second booking.
The shootout
With the game locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the tie was decided from the spot. Beyond Limits goalkeeper Favour Aputaziem produced the decisive save, stopping Adams Olamilekan’s penalty. Adios Ganiyu then stepped up to convert his kick. As a result, Beyond Limits sealed a 5-4 shootout victory and a place in the state final.
- Zubair names 20-man squad as Flying Eagles arrive Togo for WAFU B U20 Championship
- Beyond Limits seal fifth TCC title in six seasons
- Optima Energy Gold Cup: Shooting Stars defeat Beyond Limits to claim 2024 championship
- Remo Stars’ Ebenezer Akinsanmiro joins Inter Milan
For Remo Stars, the repercussions extend far beyond local bragging rights. With their league position outside the automatic continental qualification places, they will now finish the season with no international football for the first time since 2021.
The junior side had previously claimed a 3-2 upset over their parent club in the same competition three years ago. However, last season they suffered a 5-4 penalty loss. This time, the young lions ensured the shock result stuck. This time, the young lions ensured the shock result stuck.
For the NPFL club, the immediate focus shifts to league survival. For their academy, an improbable fairytale continues. Remo Stars built a model that now haunts them. The student has officially become the master.
