CAF Champions League
CAF CLUB COMPETITIONS: ENYIMBA, PILLARS, OTHERS KNOW OPPONENTS
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Nigeria’s Premier League champions, Enyimba will start next season’s CAF Champions League campaign in the first round with a first leg fixture against Burkinabe representatives, Rahimo FC, while Kano Pillars will go up against Ghana’s Asante Kotoko at the same stage.
While the People’s Elephants travel for the first leg, which holds between August 9 and 11, Pillars will host the Ghana representatives before travelling to Kumasi for the second leg fixed for between August 23 and 25.
If they pull through to the second round, which immediately precedes the group stage, Enyimba will challenge the winners of the tie between Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman and Rayon Sports FC of Rwanda. Kano Pillars will go up against either Tunisia’s Étoile du Sahel or Hafia FC of Guinea.
The first leg of the second round is scheduled for September 13 to 15 and the reverse fixtures two weeks after.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Rangers go straight into the second round to take on the winners of the first round between AS Pélican of Gabon and DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union.
For Niger Tornadoes, who will play the final of the Aiteo Cup at the weekend against Kano Pillars, their return to the continent for the first time since 2001 will see them challenge Santoba FC of Guinea in the first round with the first leg a home fixture.
If they go through, Tornadoes will have Ivorien side FC San Pédro to contend with in the second round, the first leg also holding at home.
Nigerian clubs have failed to make impact in the continent in the last seven years resulting in the country’s quota reduced to one team each in the last edition of the two club competitions.
Since Enyimba won the elite club competition back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, the best outing was semifinal final showing by Sunshine Stars in 2012 where eventual champions Al-Ahly of Egypt triumphed 4-3 aggregate.
In the Confederation Cup, Enyimba got to the last four in 2018 where Morococo’s Raja Casablanca stopped them 3-1 aggregate.
The full fixtures…
2019/20 CAF Champions League (First round first leg):
- Rahimo FC (Burkina Faso) v Enyimba (Nigeria)
- Kano Pillars (Nigeria) v Asante Kotoko (Ghana)
- Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda) v Al-Hilal (Sudan)
- Hafia FC (Guinea) v Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
- Brikama United (Gambia) v Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
- AS Tempête Mocaf (Central African Republic) v Al-Nasr SC (Libya)
- JS Kabylie (Algeria) v Al-Merrikh SC (Sudan)
- Stade Malien (Mali) v Horoya (Guinea)
- Buffles du Borgou (Benin Republic) v ASC Kara (Togo)
- UMS de Loum (Cameroon) v AS Vita Club (DR Congo)
- AS SONIDEP (Niger) v USM Alger (Algeria)
- Aigle Noir (Burundi) v Gor Mahia (Kenya)
- Atlabara FC (South Sudan) v Egypt1 (Egypt)
- Cano Sport Academy (Equatorial Guinea) v Mekelle 70 Enderta (Ethiopia)
- Dekedaha FC (Somalia) v Egypt2 (Egypt)
- LPRC Oilers (Liberia) v Génération Foot (Senegal)
- Africa Stars FC (Namibia) v KCCA (Uganda)
- Matlama FC (Lesotho) v Petro de Luanda (Angola)
- Fomboni FC (Comoros Islands) v Côte d’Or (Seychelles)
- AS Otôho (Congo Republic) v Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- SO de l’Armée (Côte d’Ivoire) v FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
- Cercle Mbéri Sportif (Gabon) v Elect-Sport FC (Chad Republic)
- Green Mamba (Eswatini) v ZESCO United (Zambia)
- Young Africans SC (Tanzania) v Township Rollers (Botswana)
- Big Bullets FC (Malawi) v FC Platinum (Zimbabwe)
- UD Songo (Mozambique) v Simba SC (Tanzania),
- KMKM (Zanzibar) v 1º de Agosto (Angola)
- Green Eagles (Zambia) v Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
- Fosa Juniors FC (Madagascar) v Pamplemousses (Mauritius)
2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup (First round first leg):
- Niger Tornadoes (Nigeria) v Santoba FC (Guinea)
- AS Pélican (Gabon) v AS Maniema Union (DR Congo)
- ASC SNIM(Mauritania) v ESAE (Benin Republic)
- US GN (Niger Republic) v Al-Ittihad SC (Libya)
- Maranatha FC (Togo) v LISCR FC (Liberia)
- Paradou AC (Algeria) v CI Kamsar(Guinea)
- Roche-Bois Bolton City (Mauritius) v Jwaneng Galaxy FC (Botswana)
- Mogadishu City Club (Somalia) v Malindi SC (Zanzibar)
- Akonangui FC (Equatorial Guinea) v Ashanti Gold SC (Ghana)
- TS Galaxy FC (South Africa) v Saint Louis Suns United (Seychelles)
- Buildcon FC (Zambia) v Young Buffaloes (Eswatini)
- Arta/Solar7 (Djibouti) v Al Khartoum SC (Sudan)
- DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo) v Stade Renard de Melong (Cameroon)
- AS Kigali (Rwanda) v KMC (Tanzania)
- Proline FC (Uganda) v Masters Security FC (Malawi)
- Bandari FC (Kenya) v Al-Ahly Shendi (Sudan)
- US Ben Guerdane (Tunisia) v Amarat United (South Sudan)
- Fasil Kenema SC (Ethiopia) v Azam FC (Tanzania)
- Triangle United (Zimbabwe) v Rukinzo FC Burundi)
- Egypt2 (Egypt) v Étoile du Congo (Congo Republic)
- CR Belouizdad (Algeria) v AS CotonTchad (Chad Republic)
First leg: August 9 – 11, 2019
Second leg: August 23 – 25, 2019
2019/20 CAF Champions League (Second Round 1st leg):
- Enyimba (Nigeria)/Rahimo FC (Burkina Faso) v Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda)/Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)
- Asante Kotoko (Ghana)/Kano Pillars (Nigeria) v Hafia FC (Guinea)/Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
- AS Tempête Mocaf (Central African Republic)/Al-Nasr SC (Libya) v Brikama United(Gambia)/Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
- JS Kabylie (Algeria)/Al-Merrikh SC (Sudan) v Stade Malien (Mali)/Horoya (Guinea)
- Buffles du Borgou (Benin Republic)/ASC Kara(Togo) v UMS de Loum (Cameroon)/AS Vita Club (DR Congo)
- AS SONIDEP (Niger)/USM Alger (Algeria) v Aigle Noir (Burundi)/Gor Mahia (Kenya)
- Cano Sport Academy (Equatorial Guinea)/Mekelle 70 Enderta (Ethiopia) v Atlabara FC (South Sudan)/Egypt1 (Egypt)
- LPRC Oilers (Liberia)/Génération Foot (Senegal) v Dekedaha FC (Somalia)/Egypt2 (Egypt)
- Matlama FC (Lesotho)/Petro de Luanda (Angola) v Africa Stars FC (Namibia)/KCCA (Uganda)
- Fomboni FC (Comoros Islands)/Côte d’Or(Seychelles) v AS Otôho (Congo Republic)/Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- SO de l’Armée (Côte d’Ivoire)/FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) v Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
- Cercle Mbéri Sportif (Gabon)/Elect-Sport FC (Chad Republic) v Espérance (Tunisia)
- Young Africans SC (Tanzania)/Township Rollers (Botswana) v Green Mamba (Eswatini)/ZESCO United (Zambia)
- Big Bullets FC (Malawi)/FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) v UD Songo (Mozambique)/Simba SC (Tanzania)
- Green Eagles (Zambia)/Orlando Pirates (South Africa) v KMKM (Zanzibar)/1º de Agosto (Angola)
- Fosa Juniors FC (Madagascar)/Pamplemousses (Mauritius) v TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup (Second round first leg):
- AS Pélican (Gabon)/AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) v Rangers (Nigeria)
- Niger Tornadoes (Nigeria)/Santoba FC (Guinea) v FC San Pédro (Côte d’Ivoire)
- ASC SNIM (Mauritania)/ESAE (Benin Republic) v Salitas SC (Burkina Faso)
- US GN (Niger Republic)/Al-Ittihad SC (Libya) v Hassania Agadir (Morocco)
- Maranatha FC (Togo)/LISCR FC (Liberia) v Djoliba SC (Mali)
- Paradou AC (Algeria)/CI Kamsar (Guinea) v CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
- Roche-Bois Bolton City (Mauritius)/Jwaneng Galaxy FC (Botswana) v Zanaco FC (Zambia)
- Mogadishu City Club (Somalia)/Malindi SC (Zanzibar) Egypt1 (Egypt)
- Akonangui FC (Equatorial Guinea)/Ashanti Gold SC (Ghana) v RS Berkane (Morocco)
- TS Galaxy FC (South Africa)/Saint Louis Suns United (Seychelles) v CNaPS Sport (Madagascar)
- Buildcon FC (Zambia)/Young Buffaloes (Eswatini) v Bidvest Wits (South Africa)
- Arta/Solar7 (Djibouti)/Al Khartoum SC (Sudan) v DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo)/Stade Renard de Melong (Cameroon)
- AS Kigali (Rwanda)/KMC (Tanzania) v Proline FC (Uganda)/Masters Security FC (Malawi)
- Bandari FC (Kenya)/Al-Ahly Shendi (Sudan) v US Ben Guerdane (Tunisia)/Amarat United (South Sudan)
- Fasil Kenema SC (Ethiopia)/Azam FC (Tanzania) v Triangle United (Zimbabwe)/Rukinzo FC (Burundi)
- Egypt2 (Egypt)/Étoile du Congo (Congo Republic) v CR Belouizdad (Algeria)/AS CotonTchad (Chad Republic)
First leg: September 13 – 15, 2019
Second leg: September 27 – 29, 2019
CAF Champions League
Brazil’s Ribeiro Costa Gone, Rivalry Renewed: Mamelodi Sundowns Reshape Squad Before Remo Stars Showdown
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Mamelodi’s talismanic Brazilian player, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has made a sudden departure from the club which is well known for its Brazil-styled football attire. The departure of the player has forced a tactical reset at Sundowns ahead of the CAF Champions League second round clash with Remo Stars.
On the other hand, Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars, are bracing up for a titanic CAF Champions League second-round showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa — a fixture that not only promises fireworks on the pitch but also rekindles one of African football’s most intense rivalries.
The first leg of the tie will take place in Abeokuta, the temporary home ground of Remo Stars with the return fixture scheduled for South Africa.
Sundowns, are continental heavyweights — former African champions and perennial campaigners known for their fluid attacking football.
However, the South Africans will enter this contest amid tactical reshuffling following the shock departure of Ribeiro, their Brazilian talisman and last season’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year.
New coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged the impact of Ribeiro’s exit but insists the Tshwane-based side are evolving into a more unified team rather than relying on individual brilliance.
“No player will replace Lucas because that’s not what we are looking for,” Cardoso told reporters after Sundowns’ first league loss of the season.
“We are looking to reinforce the team and make it completely different. Ribeiro was unique, but now we must play more as a collective.”
Cardoso revealed that Sundowns have recruited Portuguese playmaker Nuno Santos from Vitória Guimarães and are closing in on another Portuguese midfielder, Miguel Reisinho, to enhance their creative options.
Despite this transition phase, the South African champions remain formidable, boasting one of the continent’s most technically balanced squads. Their clash with Nigeria’s Remo Stars — debutants in this elite stage — offers a fascinating contrast between experience and ambition.
Beyond the football itself, the fixture taps into a storied Nigeria–South Africa rivalry that has shaped African football narratives for decades — from national team duels at the Africa Cup of Nations to club-level battles in CAF competitions.
Matches between sides from both nations have often been fierce, emotionally charged, and symbolic of continental supremacy.
For Remo Stars, this encounter represents both a massive test and an opportunity to make a statement.
The Ikenne-based side, known for their youthful energy and tactical discipline, will aim to upset the odds against one of Africa’s richest and most accomplished clubs.
Their head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, is expected to lean on the attacking prowess of Adams Olamilekan and the creativity of Ebuka Anthony to breach Sundowns’ disciplined defence.
With pride, prestige, and progression on the line, all eyes will be on the two legs of this Nigeria–South Africa contest — a battle that goes beyond footballing tactics to touch the nerve of a continental rivalry steeped in passion and history.
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Rivers United have advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Les Aigles of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1–0 in the return leg on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Following a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Kinshasa, the Nigerian side sealed progression on a 1–0 aggregate scoreline, thanks to a first-half strike that proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter.
The win sends Rivers United into the second preliminary round, where they will face the winner of the tie between AC Léopards of Congo and Black Bulls of Mozambique.
With this result, Rivers United join Remo Stars in the second round of the CAF Champions League.
The next round is scheduled to hold between October 17 and 26, while the group stage kicks off in November
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Remo Stars have sealed their passage into the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after edging Comoros’ US Zilimadjou 1–0 in Abeokuta on Friday, completing an emphatic 5–0 aggregate victory.
Forward Alex Oyowah struck the decisive goal in the 74th minute, calmly converting from the penalty spot to settle the return leg at the MKO Abiola International Stadium.
With a four-goal cushion from the first leg in – courtesy of strikes from Lamine Ndenge, Ebuka Anthony, Adams Goïta and Seun Olasupo – coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s side approached the second leg tie with composure and tactical discipline.
Despite Zilimadjou’s spirited attempt to salvage pride, Remo Stars’ organisation off the ball ensured the visitors rarely threatened.
The Sky Blue Stars grew in confidence as the game wore on, controlling possession and protecting their clean sheet before Oyowah’s late strike put the result beyond doubt.
The Nigerian side will now brace for a tougher test in October when they meet South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in what promises to be one of the glamour fixtures of the next round.
Other return-leg fixtures across the continent are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with the full line-up for the second preliminary round to be confirmed thereafter.
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