CAFCL: Oyowah’s solitary strike ensures Remo’s advancement.
CAFCL: Oyowah’s solitary strike ensures Remo’s advancement.
Remo Stars advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Comoros champions US Zilimadjou 1–0 in Abeokuta on Friday, completing a 5–0 aggregate victory.
With a commanding four-goal advantage from the first leg, also played in Abeokuta, the Nigeria Premier Football League champions approached the return fixture at the Stade de Moroni with confidence but remained mindful of the challenges that come with playing away on the continent.
A disciplined display, sealed by Alex Oyowah’s 74th-minute strike, secured the win and delighted their supporters as the team wrapped up the tie in professional style.
The contest had effectively been settled in the opening leg, where Daniel Ogunmodede’s men cruised to a dominant 4–0 triumph through goals from Leonard Ngege, Ebuka Anthony, Adama Goïta, and Samson Olasupo, putting the Sky Blue Stars firmly on course for qualification.
That game underlined the attacking quality of the Nigerians, with their pace, movement and set-piece routines proving far too much for Zilimadjou to handle.
Friday’s return leg offered Zilimadjou a chance to restore some pride, and the hosts began brightly, urged on by a lively home support.
They pressed aggressively in the opening stages, hoping to rattle Remo into mistakes, but Ogunmodede’s men were compact, disciplined and unflustered.
Goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa, supported by a well-organised defence led by Ngege, limited US Zilimadjou’s chances and gradually silenced the home crowd.
Remo Stars managed their cushion with composure, adopting a cautious approach while still posing a threat on the counter. Their persistence eventually paid off midway through the second half when Ibrahim Abubakar’s cross struck a defender’s hand in the box, and Alex Oyowah calmly converted the resulting penalty.
With a 5–0 aggregate triumph secured, Remo set up a high-profile clash against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in October.
The Sundowns, multiple CAF Champions League winners and one of Africa’s most formidable clubs, will pose the toughest challenge yet to Remo’s continental campaign. For Daniel Ogunmodede and his squad, the fixture represents both a daunting test and a golden opportunity to prove themselves against the very best on the continent.
