In what proved to be an entertaining curtain-raiser to the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival, Remo Stars came from behind to secure a 2–1 victory over Ijebu United in the maiden edition of the Ojude Oba Cup on Thursday evening.
The highly anticipated clash, held at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, saw a spirited Ijebu United side take the lead in the 54th minute through Nwaneri, sending the home crowd into raptures.
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However, Remo Stars responded with flair and resilience, as Quadri Akanni drew level with a well-taken free kick. Stanley Joseph completed the comeback for the Sky Blue Stars with a composed finish in the 74th minute to seal the win.
The match drew a large crowd of residents and visitors already in town for the annual Ojude Oba Festival, showcasing the unifying power of football within the cultural celebration.
Speaking after the final whistle, event coordinator Mr. Tunde Olisa said the initiative was aimed at integrating sports into the broader Ojude Oba cultural program, with the goal of encouraging youth participation and community involvement.
> “We want to add value to the Ojude Oba Festival by introducing competitive sporting events that engage our people, especially the youth,” Olisa said. “Our hope is to make the Ojude Oba Cup an annual feature of the festival, involving more teams across Ijebuland in the years to come.”
Spectators praised the quality of play and commended the organizers for the bold innovation. Some fans called for wider participation in future editions, encouraging the inclusion of more clubs within the Ijebu region to deepen the sense of unity and local pride.
With Remo Stars lifting the inaugural trophy, the Ojude Oba Cup has set a promising tone for a fusion of tradition and modern sporting excitement—one that many hope will become a permanent and celebrated feature of the Ojude Oba festivities.
