Remo Stars owner Hon. Kunle Soname has revealed that the club turned down a financially tempting offer from Mamelodi Sundowns to play both legs of their CAF Champions League double-header in South Africa — saying it was a matter of “national pride.”
Soname, speaking with reporters after the tie, disclosed that Sundowns had approached Remo Stars with a proposal that would have seen the Nigerian club earn significant financial relief by agreeing to play both matches away from home. However, he said the club refused, insisting that representing Nigeria on home soil was more important than money.
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> “Yes, the offer was made, and from a business point of view, it was very attractive,” Soname admitted. “But we are Nigerians first before anything else. We cannot sell our home advantage or compromise our national pride for money.”
The Remo Stars chairman explained that the financial deal could have covered the team’s travel expenses and generated additional revenue for the club, but accepting it would have set the wrong precedent.
> “Even if we were to lose, it must be after we have played our part at home,” he said. “We are representing Nigeria, and we must preserve that integrity. I told the team this was bigger than football — it’s about respect for our country.”
Soname also revealed that the club’s decision earned praise from several officials within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and fellow domestic clubs, who lauded the move as a rare show of patriotism in a financially challenging football landscape.
Despite eventually losing to Sundowns, Soname insists that Remo Stars gained invaluable experience and respect from across the continent.
> “We stood our ground and gave our best,” he concluded. “Money comes and goes, but dignity stays forever. What matters now is building from here and continuing to make Nigeria proud on the African stage.”
