Sikiru Alimi is a proud man — not the kind of pride that comes before a fall, but the pride that follows the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Just two weeks ago, Alimi and his club, Remo Stars, were crowned Nigerian League champions. For the striker, it was the realization of a vision he had carried for years.
“Honestly, it’s been an amazing feeling,” Alimi told ChinaAcheru.com. “There’s something different about this. The pride, the joy — walking with my shoulders high — especially after so many years of falling short.”
“This has been a truly remarkable season, and I’m really, really grateful. We gave it everything we had because we knew this was our shot at redemption.”
Of course, the road to glory wasn’t without its setbacks.
“There were low points,” Alimi continued. “I remember our loss to Rivers United, and then we returned home only to draw again. Confidence was low, but we picked ourselves up. And now, we’re champions. That’s all that matters.”
A Trophy Parade Without the Crowd
In terms of aesthetics, Remo Stars delivered arguably the most visually striking trophy parade the Nigerian League has seen in over a decade. The bus was vibrant, the branding on point. But something was missing — the crowd.
The streets of Ikenne, their hometown, were eerily quiet. The celebration felt muted. But Alimi insists there’s more to the story.
“To be honest, the parade made us feel like the true champions we are,” he said. “After the trophy presentation, I asked if we’d have a parade. The chairman confirmed it — and when I saw the bus, I was stunned. It was beautiful. It made the whole experience worthwhile.”
“Sure, the turnout wasn’t great, but let’s put it in perspective. It was on a Friday, Ikenne is a small town, and Remo Stars is still a young club, just about fifteen years old.”
He adds, “A lot of our fans are online. The local fanbase will grow. Success takes time to build a community, and I believe with continued achievements, the crowd will come.”
A Life-Changing Lesson From His Father
Long before the glory, before the goals and the medals, Alimi was just a young boy struggling with his circumstances.
“I was about eleven or twelve,” he recalled. “My mum was a trader, my dad a naval officer. I felt I was getting a raw deal from life. I complained a lot — about money, about everything.”
But then came a defining moment.
“My dad, Abdulwasheed Alimi, who’s always supported my football career, decided to teach me a lesson. He took me to a hospital, then a market, a military detention center, and finally a motor park.”
“He wanted me to see people who were struggling — kids my age in school uniforms selling in the market, motor park touts, detainees in the cell, and patients in the hospital.”
“He said, ‘Look around. These people are not here by choice. Be grateful for what you have.’ That moment changed my life. I went home and apologized to my mum. Since then, I’ve always chosen contentment.”
Toughest Opponents: Onyebuchi and the ‘Senior Man’
As a striker, Alimi faces tough defenders week in and week out — but some leave a lasting impression.
“Ifeanyi Onyebuchi was the toughest I met this season,” he said. “He’s big, strong, and very aggressive. But I can’t forget Ike Thankgod — the one I call ‘Senior Man.’ In my entire career, I’ve never faced a defender as brutal as him.”
At the club level, Alimi picked AS FAR of Morocco as the most difficult team he faced this season, while naming Mamelodi Sundowns as his toughest opponent of all time.
Looking Ahead
Sikiru Alimi scored five league goals for Remo Stars this season, netting against Nasarawa United, Shooting Stars, Kano Pillars, Rangers, and Ikorodu City. He also provided three assists. His performances earned him several invitations to the Super Eagles camp.
Next week, he’s heading to the United Kingdom with the national team for the Unity Cup — another chapter in what has already been a remarkable football journey.
