Nigeria’s Remo Stars took a giant step toward history on Sunday, blowing away Comoros champions US Zilimadjou 4–0 in their CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg match.

The Sky Blue Stars, who had stumbled at the first hurdle in each of their past three continental campaigns, now look well-placed to finally break the cycle and advance to the next stage.

It was a statement performance in Ikenne, where Lamine Ndenge settled early nerves with a 12th-minute opener. Ebuka Anthony doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, giving the Nigerian side a comfortable cushion heading into the break.

The second half saw Remo Stars turn on the style. Malian import Adams Goïta smashed home the third in the 69th minute before Seun Olasupo completed the rout with a composed finish 10 minutes from time.

Beyond the scoreline, the performance was even more impressive. Remo pressed aggressively out of possession and moved the ball swiftly through the thirds, overwhelming their visitors with speed and precision.

With a commanding four-goal advantage, Remo Stars will travel for the return leg in Comoros with confidence, knowing that one more step could secure them a long-sought breakthrough on the continent.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigerian champions, Remo Stars, will begin their CAF Champions League campaign this Sunday with a preliminary round clash against US Zilimadjou of Comoros at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

The Sky Blue Stars, making another attempt at continental success, are widely tipped as favourites against the island nation’s representatives.

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has admitted the weight of expectation but says his team is ready to deliver a strong performance at home.

Remo Stars come into the game off a busy domestic schedule in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Though their unbeaten start was halted recently by a 2-0 loss to Plateau United, the Nigerian champions remain confident that regular competitive action has sharpened their squad for the continental stage.

Their opponents, US Zilimadjou, arrive with pedigree as multiple Comoros Premier League winners.

However, they face a major hurdle: their domestic season ended in July and the next campaign does not resume until October, leaving them short of match fitness.

The club has experience in Champions League qualifiers but has struggled to advance in past editions.

The tactical battle is expected to pit Remo Stars’ high-tempo attacking style against Zilimadjou’s likely cautious and counter-attacking approach.

Analysts predict that the Nigerians will dominate possession while the visitors seek to frustrate and snatch an away goal.

With the tie to be decided over two legs, Ogunmodede’s men are aware that a convincing result at home is vital. Football analysts forecast a low-scoring affair, with a 1-0 or 2-0 win for the hosts seen as the most probable outcome.

The return leg also in Abeokuta will determine which side advances to the second preliminary round and keeps alive the dream of a place in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.

Although Remo Stars have been on the continental stage in the past three seasons, this seems to be their best chance of advancing beyond the first round.

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The 2025/26 season of the CAF Champions League got underway on Friday with three first-leg ties setting the tone for a busy opening weekend. 

Young Africans issued the loudest statement, winning 3–0 away to Wiliete in Angola. Vipers SC took a valuable 1–0 success at African Stars, while Dadjè of Benin kept Al Ahly Tripoli at arm’s length in a goalless draw. 

More first legs matches follow onm Saturday and Sunday across the continent before next weekend’s returns decide who progresses to October’s second preliminary round.

Young Africans, last season’s Tanzanian champions, produced a measured away performance in Benguela to put one foot in the next round.

They struck first on 32 minutes when Aziz Andabwile finished from close range after sustained pressure down the right.

The visitors then controlled the tempo and struck twice late on to underline their superiority: John Edmund guided in a neat effort on 72 minutes before Prince Dube curled home an 81st-minute third.

A clean sheet and three away goals leave Yanga firmly in charge before the return leg in Dar es Salaam.

In Namibia, Vipers SC claimed an early advantage in a cagey contest against African Stars.

The Ugandans were in front after just 14 minutes when defender Hillary Mukundane stole in at a set-piece to prod beyond the goalkeeper.

From there, Vipers settled into a disciplined shape, keeping the hosts at arm’s length and managing the game well in the second period.

African Stars pushed after the interval but found little space between the lines, leaving themselves with work to do in Kitende.

Benin’s Dadjè and Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli remain finely poised after a tight 0–0 in Cotonou. Chances were scarce as both sides prioritised control in midfield.

The visitors will be satisfied to take the tie home level, but Dadjè’s organisation and intensity suggest a tricky night awaits in Tripoli.

With the stakes high and margins thin in these early rounds, small details in next weekend’s returns could decide the outcome.

This preliminary phase is the first step on a long road that runs through October’s second round to the group stage, which begins on 21 November.

Several heavyweights, including Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, await at the next hurdle, while the defending champions Pyramids and Rwanda’s APR join later.

For Friday’s winners, the brief is clear: complete the job next week.

For the sides trailing, the mission is to reset quickly and make home advantage count when the competition resumes with the second legs between 26–28 September.

-Cafonline

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