Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede, popularly known as IJABALL, has officially announced his departure from Remo Stars, bringing an end to an unforgettable 11 year journey with the club.
Although Ogunmodede had not been actively managing the team since October 2025, Remo Stars never officially confirmed his exit or clarified his status. However, the highly respected coach has now ended all speculation by releasing an emotional farewell statement reflecting on his remarkable spell with the Ikenne based club.
The opening part of his message read:
“After eleven unforgettable years, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Remo Stars Football Club.
It is difficult to put into words what this journey has meant to me. What started as an opportunity became a family, a purpose, and one of the defining chapters of my life. Together, we built, we believed, we struggled, we learned, and ultimately, we made history.
My deepest appreciation goes to my Father, Hon. Kunle Soname OON. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the platform to contribute my own little quota to the Remo Stars story. Your trust, patience, support, and unwavering commitment to excellence gave me the confidence to grow, not only as a football coach but also as a man. I will forever remain grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve this great club.”
Ogunmodede joined Remo Stars in 2015 as assistant coach to Nduka Ugbade while also taking charge of the club’s youth team. His impact became evident almost immediately.
On September 26, 2016, he helped guide the senior team to promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League for the first time in the club’s history while serving as assistant coach. During the same period, he led the youth side to a second place finish in the Metro League in Lagos and also reached the final of the Ogun State FA Cup.
Later in 2016, Remo Stars established its youth academy structure and appointed Ogunmodede as its head. His responsibilities expanded further in 2020 when he became the club’s first Director of Youth Football Development, a role that played a major part in the creation of Beyond Limits FA.
In the same year, Ogunmodede took charge of the Remo Stars senior team. His influence continued to grow as he guided the club back to the Nigeria Premier Football League in September 2021 after they finished runners up in the Nigeria National League Playoff Group A.
Ogunmodede also gained valuable international coaching experience in 2021 when he was appointed assistant manager to Rui Ferreira at Portuguese club CD Feirense.
He returned to Remo Stars in 2022 and immediately transformed the club into one of the strongest teams in Nigerian football. Under his leadership, the Sky Blue Stars finished second in the Nigeria Premier Football League in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
His greatest achievement arrived on April 27, 2025, when he guided Remo Stars to their first ever Nigeria Premier Football League title. The historic triumph also made Remo Stars the first club from Nigeria’s South West to win the league title since Julius Berger achieved the feat in 2000.
Reflecting on his time at the club, Ogunmodede said:
“We shared unforgettable moments together. The difficult seasons tested our character. The victories strengthened our belief. The CAF competitions gave us experiences that expanded our horizons. Then came that unforgettable day when we lifted the Nigeria Premier Football League title, the first major trophy in the club’s history. That moment will forever remain one of the proudest memories of my career, not because of the trophy alone, but because of everything it represented. It was the reward for years of sacrifice, resilience, faith, and hard work from everyone connected to the club.
As I leave, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and without regret. I leave knowing I gave everything I had every single day in service of this badge and this project.
I wish everyone connected with Remo Stars nothing but continued success. May the club continue to grow from strength to strength, produce more champions, inspire future generations, and achieve even greater heights in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
Although this chapter comes to an end, my affection for this club will never fade. Remo Stars has become a part of my life, and wherever my journey takes me, I will always carry the memories, friendships, and lessons with pride.
Once a Sky Blue Star, always a Sky Blue Star.”
Ogunmodede’s farewell comes just days after Trybal News exclusively revealed that Kano Pillars had reached an agreement in principle with the Super Eagles assistant coach to become the club’s new Technical Adviser ahead of the 2026 2027 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
The agreement was reached on July 3, while his official unveiling is scheduled for July 11, 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the career of one of Nigeria’s most respected young coaches.
