Football pilgrimage returns to Abeokuta as home of Remo Stars

 

 

 By Ojeikere Aikhoje

Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, had a connection with top flight domestic football, in Nigeria, as home of the legendary Abiola Babes FC, Concord FC, Julius Berger FC and lately Gateway United FC.

Add the famous Olumo Rock and you’ll understand how it has earned the town its tourism strength.

 

The exit of these teams and eventual relegation of Gateway brought the pilgrimage to an end.

It was like the end of an era and the emergence of Remo Stars Sports Club as a top flight campaigner changed the football geography of the state.

Initially attention was on Sagamu, then Ikenne took centrestage with the completion of the club’s facility.

Ikenne is now well known as home of Remo Stars and has also become home of some of the national teams.

Remo Stars’ coronation as NPFL champions elevated the town’s profile as the headquarters of the domestic league.

 

2025/26 Season

With ongoing repairs of the turf at the Remo Stars Stadium, Abeokuta is back in the conversation as temporary home ground.

The club has since announced via its Official X handle, @RemoStarsSC that Abeokuta will serve as homeground until the job is completed.

All roads lead to Abeokuta on Friday for what will be the beginning of a short campaign.

Apart from Ikenne, fans will be coming neighbouring towns like Ijebu-Ode, Iperu, Ogeru, Sagamu, Lagos, Ibadan and Ilaro amongst others.

The arrival of foreign stars like Mark Gibson Theo, (Liberia/Rivers United), goalkeeper Alladum Kollimba (Central African Republic/Katsina United) as well as the Malian duo of Chaka Coulibaly and Adama Goita is generating excitement amongst fans.

Top stars like Ismaila Sodiq, Adedayo Olamilekan, Hadi Haruna, Sikiri Alimi, Alex Oyowah and skipper Nduka Junior from the Super Eagle squad that participated at the Championship of African Nations (CHAN), have since arrived for the business of the day.

 

Matchday Tips for Fans

• Arrive early: Gates open early
• Buy tickets on-site:
• Dress for the sun: Abeokuta can be very hot – bring hats and water

 

Transport Options:

• Intercity Buses:
• Rail
• Shared Taxis:

Getting to MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Kuto:

• Address: Along Abiola Way, close to NNPC Mega Station, Kuto, Abeokuta
• Landmarks: Kuto Motor Park, June 12 Cultural Centre, NNPC Depot

 

Ojeikere Aikhoje, Founder of MatchRoom Football Business Institute, Lagos, works with Sports PR Agency, www.matchroom.com,ng and has over 3 decades international experience in the sports as well as editorial industry, including a strong background in journalism and social media management.

Aikhoje was a two-time member of the Lagos Business School (LBS) Sports Business Management Programme (SBMP). He writes regularly about Fan Engagement in football and Sports Geography.

You can reach him @ ojeikereaikhoje@gmail.com or @ojeksaikhoje on X.