CAF Champions League
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: LOBI STARS CHALLENGE ‘THE BRAZILIANS’
BY APESIN ADEMOLA.
The Pride of Benue, as Lobi Stars are fondly called, start their group stage campaign in the CAF Champions League on Friday by welcoming 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns to Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the adopted home ground of the Makurdi-based side.
It’s the second time at this stage for the Nigerian champions who finished third – behind group leaders Hearts of Oak of Ghana and Egypt’s Al Ahly- in the 2000 edition.
Lobi Stars won the abridged Nigerian Premier Football League last season to qualify as the country’s only club in the continent’s flagship club tournament. On their way to the group stage, they dispatched Cameroon’s UMS de Loum 2-1 aggregate at the preliminary stage and Gor Mahia of Kenya on away goal rule after 3-3 deadlock in the first round.
On their part, Mamelodi Sundowns eliminated Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea 7-1 aggregate in the preliminary stage and Libya’s Al-Ahly Benghazi 4-0 aggregate thereafter.
Unlike Lobi Stars, who returned to this competition after an 18-year hiatus, the Brazilians from South Africa have not missed out of the Champions League since 2015 and were quarterfinalists in 2017. Finalists in 2001, Mamelodi Sundowns have a far better credentials than Lobi Stars on the continent.
While Lobi Stars have not been actively engaged as a result of the prolonged delay in commencing the local season, Mamelodi Sundowns have been in the groove in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League which is going into its 18th Matchday this weekend.
Coming into this match, Pitso Mosimane’s men have remained unbeaten in their last nine matches winning five and, playing a draw on four occasions
Sundowns will count on goalkeeper Denis Onyango, controversially placed in Africa XI released by CAF this week, to continue his good form. The Ugandan stopper, who helped his national team qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations without conceding a goal with a match remaining in the qualifying round, is expected to be tested by Sikiru Alimi, who scored three of the five goals by Lobi Stars en-route the group stage.
Although Lobi Stars have kept a clean sheet at home in the competition, they should be wary of Jeremy Brockie, Mamelodi Sundowns’ leading scorer in the tournament with three games from four outings.
Defender Chile Azu says Lobi Stars are not intimidated by the pedigree of their South African counterparts as they have been concentrating on only their on preparations.
“We know the assignment at hand and are more than ready to make our fans happy right from the first game until the entire six games we are going to play in the group stage. We are going to be focused on our preparations while we are going to wait to get more information about them. We are not afraid,” he told goal.com.
Winning the first match is crucial in a group that features two other former champions.
Also in Group A, 2017 winners Wydad Casablanca will face-off with ASEC Mimosas later same Friday. While the Moroccan side also won the competition in 1992 and were runners-up in 2011, their Ivorien opponents were victorious in 1998 and runners-up in 1995.
This term, Wydad got a bye into the first round where they kicked out ASC Diaraf of Senegal on away goal rule after 3-3 deadlock in both legs, while ASEC beat Gabon’s AS Mangasport 1-0 aggregate in the preliminary round and Mali’s Stade Malien 2-0 aggregate in the first round.
The Confederation Cup will feature the playoff round leading to the group stage. Nigeria’s representatives Enugu Rangers will be in Lesotho to challenge Bantu FC on Sunday.
Friday fixtures…
CAF Champions League (Matchday 1)
Group A: Lobi Stars (Nigeria) vMamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) (5pm),
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)vASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire) (8pm)
Group B: Horoya (Guinea) v Espérance (Tunisia) (5pm)
Group C: Club Africain (Tunisia) v CS Constantine (Algeria) (8pm)
CAF Confederation Cup (Playoff first leg):
- Al-Ahly Benghazi (Libya) v NA Hussein Dey (Algeria) (5pm)
Saturday fixtures…
CAF Champions League (Matchday 1)
Group B: FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) v Orlando Pirates (South Africa) (2pm)
Group C: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) v Ismaily (Egypt) (2pm)
Group D: Simba (Tanzania) v JS Saoura (Algeria) (2pm),
Al-Ahly (Egypt) v AS Vita Club (DR Congo) (8pm)
CAF Confederation Cup (Playoff first leg):
- Nkana (Zambia) v FC San Pédro (Côte d’Ivoire) (2pm)
- Vipers (Uganda) v CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) (2pm)
- African Stars FC (Namibia) v Raja Casablanca (Morocco) (3pm)
- Stade Malien (Mali) v Petro de Luanda (Angola) (5pm)
Sunday fixtures…
CAF Confederation Cup (Playoff first leg):
- Bantu FC (Lesotho) v Rangers (Nigeria) (3pm)
- Gor Mahia (Kenya) v New Star FC (Cameroon) (2pm)
- ZESCO United (Zambia) v Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) (2pm)
- Jimma Aba Jifar (Ethiopia) v Hassania Agadir (Morocco) (2pm);
- Coton Sport (Cameroon) v Ashante Kotoko SC (Ghana), (3.30pm)
- AS Otôho (Congo Republic) v KCCA (Uganda) (3:30pm)
- Ittihad Tanger (Morocco) v Zamalek (Egypt) (4pm)
- Al-Nasr (Libya) v Salitas FC (Burkina Faso) (5pm)
- ASC Diaraf (Senegal) v RS Berkane (Morocco) (5:30pm),
- Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) v Mukura Victory Sports (Rwanda) (6pm)
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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