Remo Stars have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League (CAFCL) preliminary stage after a 2-0 defeat to AS FAR at the Stade Municipal de Kenitra in Morocco on Sunday, August 25.
The Sky Blue Stars won the first leg 2-1 courtesy of goals from Junior Nduka and Sodiq Ismail at Ikenne Stadium last Wednesday. Head coach Daniel Ogunmodede made three changes to his starting lineup as the Ikenne-based team sought to protect their narrow lead.
Remo’s defensive approach was largely successful in the first half, thanks to the efforts of Serge Obassa. The Benin Republic international made four saves to record the side’s first clean sheet in a continental first half.
However, about eight minutes into the second half, AS FAR broke the deadlock through a strike from Beya Joel. The goal took the aggregate score to 2-2, as both teams fought frantically for the match’s winner.
The decisive goal came in the 80th minute, but it wasn’t without controversy. Alex Oyowah’s handball at the edge of the box led to the referee awarding the home team a penalty, much to the displeasure of the Blue Stars.
Zouhzouh Amine converted the resulting penalty, bringing the aggregate score to 4-2 in favour of AS FAR.
The defeat not only confirmed Remo’s exit from the CAFCL, but it also means the Ogunmodede-led side has now lost all three continental ties in their history. Two of those defeats were against AS FAR, following a 2-1 aggregate loss to the Moroccan side in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round in 2022.
Meanwhile, Remo’s exit reduces Nigeria’s representatives in the 2024/2025 CAF competitions from four to two, following El-Kanemi Warriors’ defeat to Dadje FC in the CAF Confederation Cup first round of the preliminary stage.
Reigning NPFL champions Rangers International advanced to the second round of the CAFCL preliminary stage after defeating US Zilimadjou of Comoros 2-1 on aggregate, while Enyimba will begin their CAFCC campaign in the second round.
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