Ogunmodede conveyed his profound satisfaction with this historic achievement, stating that the league title represents a long-awaited and well-deserved reward for the team's persistent hard work and perseverance throughout the years.
“This is a reward for hard work, patience, and perseverance. We’ve been working over the years to attain this, and I’m glad it came at the right time,” he expressed in a radio interview with Eagle 7 Sports Radio earlier today in Lagos.
The coach dismissed any suggestions that his side faced undue psychological pressure during the fiercely competitive title race, highlighting his calm and focused demeanor throughout the entire league campaign.
“I was never under any pressure,” Ogunmodede asserted. “The only pressure I feel is the personal desire to keep improving myself every day. That’s what drives me, not fear of failure.”
He also passionately lauded the strong collaborative spirit that permeated the club, attributing their remarkable success to a unified front encompassing the players, the dedicated management, the tireless technical staff, and the unwavering support of their fans.
“This is a team sport. Everyone played their role. The club president invested and stayed patient, the management did a great job, my assistants and backroom staff worked tirelessly, the players gave everything, and the fans stood by us. It was a full team effort,” he meticulously explained.
Ogunmodede further emphasized that the people of Ikenne, where Remo Stars are based, and Ogun State as a whole, richly deserve to share in the immense pride of this achievement, describing the NPFL title as a truly significant milestone for the entire community.
Turning his attention to the prospect of continental competition, the Remo Stars boss maintained a grounded perspective, deliberately refraining from engaging in detailed discussions about the club’s chances ahead of their return to CAF competitions next season.
“I don’t want to talk about the continent now. We still have three matches to complete in the league, and that’s my focus for now,” he stated firmly, prioritizing the immediate task at hand.
When questioned about which other NPFL clubs he considered likely contenders to join Remo Stars in representing Nigeria on the continental stage, Ogunmodede indicated that he had not yet given it significant thought, preferring to maintain his focus solely on his own team’s performance.
“I only focus on my team. But from the table, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, Katsina United, and Enyimba are all in the mix. I haven’t really analysed the possibilities yet,” he admitted.
Ogunmodede also expressed his pleasant surprise and deep gratitude following a heartwarming gesture from Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen, who generously donated N10 million to the Remo Stars squad and staff as a sincere show of appreciation for their hard work and title-winning feat.
“I was surprised, of course. For a player of his calibre to take time out of his busy schedule and even offer financial motivation to my players is huge,” Ogunmodede acknowledged with admiration. “He’s the best striker in the world right now. The records are there to show.”
Looking optimistically towards the future of Nigerian football, the coach confidently asserted his belief that the Super Eagles would successfully qualify for the next World Cup, stating unequivocally: “We will be there, by the grace of God.”
Ogunmodede and his newly crowned champions, the Sky Blue Stars, are scheduled to travel to Maiduguri later today (Wednesday) for a matchday 35 encounter against El Kanemi Warriors, as the NPFL season enters its crucial final stages with just a few games remaining.