Anaemena Celebrates Third NPFL Title After Remo Stars’ Landmark Victory

Veteran defender Ifeanyi Anaemena has expressed immense joy after helping Remo Stars secure their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, marking the third domestic crown of his career. The Ikenne based club clinched the 2024/2025 championship following a narrow 1–0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a Matchday 35 fixture.

With three games left to play, the historic win sees Remo Stars crowned champions, a remarkable feat for a privately owned side. Anaemena, a key figure in the team’s defence, previously won league titles with Enyimba in the 2014/2015 and 2018/2019 seasons.

“This is my third NPFL title, and I’m very happy,” Anaemena told Yohaig NG. “I would have had a fourth if I hadn’t left Rivers United before they were crowned in 2022. I moved to Saudi Arabia before the season ended.”

Reflecting on the win against Niger Tornadoes, he admitted the team expected a tough battle, especially against a side fighting relegation. “Matches like these are always tricky, but we stayed patient and disciplined, and the goal came,” he said.

Remo Stars will travel to face El-Kanemi Warriors for their Matchday 36 fixture, before returning home for Matchday 37, when they will officially be presented with the league trophy. Anaemena also confirmed that the club would begin preparations immediately for next season’s CAF Champions League campaign, determined to make a mark on the continental stage.

Editorial

Remo Stars’ title triumph is more than just a victory for a club it’s a bold validation of the potential within Nigeria’s private football sector. At the heart of it is Ifeanyi Anaemena, a seasoned campaigner whose leadership and consistency have anchored the team’s historic season.

His story is one of endurance. From his early days at Enyimba to a brief stint abroad, Anaemena has remained a symbol of professionalism and commitment. This third title not only crowns a distinguished domestic career but also sets a benchmark for younger players coming through the system.

What’s truly inspiring about Remo Stars’ journey is the reminder that well-run private clubs can rise, compete, and win in a system often dominated by government-funded teams. With investment, vision, and discipline, they’ve carved a space at the summit of Nigerian football. Anaemena’s emphasis on “hard work, patience, and discipline” says it all it’s a culture, not a coincidence.

Now, with the CAF Champions League on the horizon, the challenge shifts. Nigerian clubs have long struggled to assert themselves continentally. But with Anaemena’s experience and Remo Stars’ momentum, there’s reason to believe this team won’t just participate they’ll compete.

Did You Know?

1. Ifeanyi Anaemena scored his first professional goal during a CAF Champions League match while playing for Enyimba.
2. Remo Stars were founded in 2004 as FC Dender before being renamed and relocated to Ikenne.
3. The club’s Remo Stars Stadium is one of the few privately owned football-specific stadiums in Nigeria.
4. Anaemena studied Industrial Chemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka before fully committing to professional football.
5. Remo Stars’ qualification for the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League marks their first-ever appearance in Africa’s top club competition.