South-West rivals, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club (MFM FC) and Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC) will kick start the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Friday.
However, the season-opener has been enmeshed in confusion with two venues being advertised for Friday’s tie.
After initially announcing the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium as the venue for the season-opener, Teslim Balogun stadium was later sent out as the venue.
“This is to inform Football Stakeholders in Lagos State and beyond, that the venue for the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 1 fixture, between MFM FC and Remo Stars, has been changed from Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, due to technical issues beyond our control.
“The match will kickoff by 6pm.” a statement sent to Roving Naija by the Olawale Quadri MFM FC, Media Officer read.
However, a few hours before kickoff, another statement was issued by the Olukoya Boys.
“This is to inform all football stakeholders that the technical issues associated with the change of today’s match venue from Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, has now been resolved.
“The NPFL Matchday 1 opening fixture between MFM FC and Remo Stars will still hold at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, as originally scheduled starting from 6pm this evening. We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences”
Going into Friday’s season-opener Remo Stars and MFM FC tested their might against each other in a number of preseason tournaments.
The Sky Blues overcame the Olukoya Boys twice; beating them 3-2 at the Dapo Abiodun Preseason Tournament while recording a 1-0 win at the Remo Stars Stadium in the semifinals of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Preseason Tournament.
The Olukoya Boys at the Legacy Pitch in Lagos defeated Remo Stars 1-0 to set the stage for a potentially explosive clash on Friday
Unlike MFM FC, Remo Stars have never recorded a victory in their opening game of the season.
The Sky Blues lost 2-1 to Plateau United in 2017 and could only manage a 1-1 draw with Bendel Insurance in 2019 both at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu.
Both sides have met four times in the top flight division having lost 1-0 to the Olukoya Boys three times and played a 1-1 draw in 2019 at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.
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