Exclusive: Sikiru Alimi Breaks Goal Drought and Promises to Keep the Momentum Ahead of CHAN Qualifiers

The noise intensified, and the fans roared the name Alimi!! As Remo Stars’ striker Sikiru Alimi walked up to the penalty spot, his eyes were fixed intently on Shooting Stars' goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal.

The Remo Stars striker had a reputation for delivering under pressure and did not disappoint.

Alimi slotted the penalty to Lawal's right side with a confident strike, sending the Remo Stars faithful into raptures. The goal was Alimi's fourth against Shooting Stars in the southwestern derby, and it marked a triumphant return to form for the 28-year-old striker.

According to Opta Ngr, Alimi had gone over 400 minutes without scoring, but his goal against his former club Shooting Stars was a powerful statement of intent. The Remo Stars striker had broken his goal drought in style and, in doing so, had ended his team's winless run.

As Alimi celebrated with his teammates, the noise of the crowd provided a deafening backdrop. It was a moment of pure elation for the Remo Stars striker and one that would be remembered for a long time to come. Alimi's goal had not only won the game for Remo Stars but had also announced his return to the top of his game. 

Speaking with SportsBoom.co.za, the elated Sikiru Alimi expressed his excitement over breaking his seven-game-long goal drought in the 2024/2025 season.

Sikiru Alimi: Scoring in the Southwestern Derby is a big deal for me

Scoring in the Southwestern Derby is a significant achievement for Sikiru Alimi, and he's thrilled to have proven his relevance once again. "It's a big one for me. I just want to make my mark," Sikiru emphasised.

Breaking his goal drought was a relief for Sikiru, who credited his teammates for their support during his challenging moments. "Goalscoring builds a striker's confidence, and that's exactly what's happened to me again," he said. "It's always exciting for strikers to score goals, as it boosts their morale and consistency."

CHAN participation 

With the Africa Championship qualifiers approaching, Sikiru is focused on making an impact. As one of the players likely to lead Nigeria's attack against Ghana in December, he's been making personal preparations to up his game. "I've been there before, and I've had the experience. It's a good one," Sikiru said.

Representing Nigeria again is a top priority for Sikiru, who last represented the country four years ago. "I want to represent my country again. The CHAN qualifiers are a big stage for home-based players, and I'm happy to be considered. If called upon, I'll give my all."