Olamilekan Adedayo’s journey from being labelled “training material” to scoring the decisive goal that secured Remo Stars’ first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title is nothing short of inspirational.
On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Remo Stars took on Niger Tornadoes in a high-stakes match. With the score tied, Adedayo stepped up in the 84th minute to score the only goal of the game.
That moment not only handed Remo Stars the league title but also made them the first privately-owned club to win the NPFL since Udoji United in 1996.
With seven goals to his name this season, he is the club’s top scorer, playing a key role in victories against teams like Heartland FC and Shooting Stars SC.
However, Adedayo’s rise to prominence was not always smooth. Back in the 2016/17 season, during open trials at Remo Stars, he was often referred to as “TM” (Training Material), a term for players who impressed in training but struggled to perform on match days.
Jimoh Ibrahim, who played alongside Adedayo at the time, recalls, “When I joined Remo Stars through the trials back in 2016/17, the guys that really showed me what hard work was all about were Akanni Qudus, Daniel (our captain), and Ebola. These guys worked so hard that at times, it felt like they had two heads. We trained twice a day, but during breaks, they would be training even more. Their work ethic was something else.”
While the players joked about the “TM” label, Adedayo took it to heart. “Back then, during the matches, many tagged Ebola as a TM. He was thought to only shine during training and drills but not on match days. For the group of boys, it was a joke, but for him, it was devastating. I remember one day, he sat down, looking defeated. I asked him what was wrong, and he said, ‘Am I not giving enough? This is my only hope, Ibrahim.’ That moment stuck with me,” Ibrahim continues.
Despite the criticism, Adedayo did not let it break him. Ibrahim adds, “For most players, criticism weakens their morale, but not for Ebola. He fought harder, determined not to let the label hold him back. I remember when he lost his place in the first team. But instead of giving up, he used it as motivation. He never forgot that this was his only hope, and he worked tirelessly to prove everyone wrong.”
Under the strict guidance of Coach Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars FC), Adedayo’s transformation took shape. Ibrahim explains, “Coach Ogunmodede only picks players who show they are ready. That is the only way to gain his favour, and Ebola proved that he was ready. He fought for his place and earned it.”
Adedayo’s perseverance paid off. He worked his way up from being sidelined to earning a spot in the main team, one of only a few to make the cut during the National League (NNL) days. “When I left for legal studies, I still followed my friend’s progress. He made it through, while many others didn’t,” Ibrahim recalls.
Fast forward to the present, and Adedayo’s story has come full circle. The “training material” has become the hero of the moment, scoring the title-winning goal in Remo Stars’ historic NPFL victory.
Ibrahim sums it up perfectly, via his WhatsApp Status: “Isn’t that a beautiful one? The TM turned the boy of the moment because he didn’t give up. If there’s anything I want for that guy, it is that the story keeps getting better from here.”
As the season draws to a close, there is increasing talk of him being named Player of the Season. While the outcome is still uncertain, his transformation from an overlooked talent to a title-winning hero will undoubtedly inspire others for years to come.