Remo Stars have vowed to make an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after being relegated on the final day of the 2025/26 season, following a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. The Sky Blue Stars, who won their first NPFL title last season, finished 17th with 47 points from 38 matches, marking a dramatic fall from grace. This relegation makes Remo Stars the fourth reigning NPFL champion to be demoted while defending their title, joining the ranks of defunct Stationery Stores, Shooting Stars, and Bayelsa United.
The match ended in heartbreak for Remo Stars as experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead just before halftime, but Chijioke Akuneto equalized for Bendel Insurance in stoppage time, sealing their fate. Despite the disappointment, the club acknowledged the failure to maintain consistency and performance throughout the season. In a statement, Remo Stars expressed regret over the outcome, emphasizing the emotional investment from players, staff, management, and supporters.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought,” the club said. “The expectation attached to this club are high, and we didn’t deliver the performance and consistency required to maintain our place in the division.” The statement also confirmed that Remo Stars will now compete in the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the upcoming season. The club pledged to make important decisions and redirect all efforts toward a swift return to the top flight.
Alongside Remo Stars, El-Kanemi Warriors, Bayelsa United, and Wikki Tourists were also relegated from the NPFL at the end of the 2025/26 season. On the other hand, Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, Doma United, and Ranchers Bees secured promotion from the NNL, setting the stage for a new chapter in Nigerian football. The relegation of Remo Stars, a club that had captured the national title just a year earlier, has sparked widespread reactions across the football community.
The club’s management remains committed to rebuilding and restoring pride. With the NPFL title still fresh in memory, fans and stakeholders are hopeful that the team will use this setback as motivation to return stronger. As the NNL season approaches, all eyes will be on Remo Stars to see how they respond to the challenge of immediate promotion.
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