Remo Stars release Obassa for AFCON

Adebiyi Obassa

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Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Remo Stars, have released Benin Republic goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after he was named in coach Gernot Rohr’s final 28-man squad for the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The competition will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Obassa, a key figure for the Ikenne-based club, was released on Tuesday, December 9, and joined the Beninois camp in Ben Slimane, Morocco, on Wednesday, December 10, following official communication between Remo Stars and the Benin Football Federation.

He joins Marcel Dandjinou and France-based Saturnin Alagbe as the three goalkeepers in the squad.

Obassa has previously featured for the Squirrels in international competitions and friendly matches, gradually cementing his place in the national team setup.

His call-up follows a run of consistent performances for Remo Stars, where he has been instrumental in the club’s domestic campaigns, contributing crucial saves, commanding his area, and providing leadership at the back. He was a key part of their first NPFL title triumph last season.

This season, he has featured in goal for seven league matches as well as the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary games.

In his absence, the reigning champions will rely on Central African Republic goalkeeper Alladun Kolimba, who was in goal against Enyimba.

For Benin Republic, Obassa is expected to provide competition and depth in goal as the team targets a strong showing at the continental showpiece after navigating a demanding qualification campaign. They were drawn in the same qualifying group as Nigeria, finishing second behind the Super Eagles.

The goalkeeper is expected to return to club action after the tournament, depending on how far Benin Republic progress in Morocco.

Benin Republic are in Group C of the tournament alongside Botswana, DR Congo, and Senegal. They will open their campaign against DR Congo on Tuesday, December 23, before facing Botswana on Saturday, December 27, and Senegal on December 30.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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