But for the questionable penalty kick awarded for AS FAR of Morocco in the 78^th minute of the tension-soaked CAF Champions League duel with Remo Stars on Sunday in Rabat, the complexion of the final result as well as the aggregate scorelines may have been different.

Match scoreline stood at 1-1 before the referee, Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali of Benin Republic, who was midway to the centre circle suddenly blew his whistle and awarded a penalty kick to the hosts.

Before then, all body contacts had been ruled against Remo Stars. Even, the Moroccans looked amused when the referee, who was off the scene suddenly ran into the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick for an incident, even if  it were an infraction, happened outside the penalty box.

The award of the penalty kick and the conversion by El Amine Zouhzouh, literaly sealed Remo Stars thin hope of advancing.

The Nigerian side left it too late as they only came out to attack after their hopes had been sealed.

In starting the crucial match, their lead scorer, Sikiru Alimi and assist master, Sodiq Ismail were brought in only after the damage had been done. It was after the first goal in the 51^st minute that Alimi was brought in in the 54^th minute.

Nigeria’s champions, Enugu Rangers have been drawn against Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperança of Angola in the next round of the CAF Champions League.

The fixtures come up next month with Enugu Rangers hosting the first leg on 13 September.

The return leg holds on 20 September. Enugu Rangers advanced after eliminating Comoros Islands’ US Zilimadjou.

Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperança better known as G.D. Sagrada Esperança advanced after seeing off Saint-Louis Suns United of Seychelles on a 4-0 aggregate.

The first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League reached its climax on Sunday, with several heavyweight clubs securing their passage to the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition. 

In a difficult turnaround, AS FAR Rabat of Morocco overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Nigeria’s Remo Stars, winning 2-0 in Rabat.

Congolese striker Joël Beya broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, before Zouhzouh sealed the victory with a penalty in the 80th minute, propelling the Moroccan side into the second preliminary round.

Algeria’s CR Bélouizdad continued their impressive form, securing a 1-0 victory over AC Léopards of Congo, thanks to a 24th-minute strike from Benguit.

This win, following their 2-0 first-leg triumph, sets up an intriguing clash with Burkina Faso’s AS Douanes in the next round.

AS Douanes progressed on away goals after two draws against Benin’s Coton FC, highlighting the fine margins in continental competition.

Ghana’s Samartex emphatically stamped their authority on their tie against Cameroon’s Victoria United, winning 1-0 at home to complete a 2-0 aggregate victory.

Isaac Afful’s 8th-minute goal extinguished any hopes of a Cameroonian comeback, setting up a mouth-watering second-round clash with African giants Raja Casablanca.

In other notable results, Cote d’Ivoire champions San Pedro edged past Sierra Leone’s BO Rangers with a 1-0 win, while Congo’s AS Maniema Union held their nerve to defeat Zimbabwe’s Ngezi Platinum on penalties after two goalless draws.

Togo’s ASKO Kara also progressed, beating Equatorial Guinea’s Deportivo Mongomo 1-0 thanks to an early goal from new signing Adam Musah.

However, the day was not without its upsets. FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania, surprise participants in last season’s group stage, were eliminated on away goals by Guinea’s Milo FC.

The second preliminary round promises even more excitement, with matches scheduled from September 13 to 15 for the first legs, and September 23 to 25 for the return fixtures.