CAF Champions League
RANGERS, LOBI STARS WILL SCALE THE HEIGHTS, VICTOR EZEJI TELLS CAF
Victor Ezeji is an iconic figure in Nigerian
football, having spent his entire career on the local front. He is currently an
ambassador for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) since retiring
after a career that lasted nearly two decades.
A proud member of the Enyimba squad the broke the country’s almost three
decades continental drought by winning the CAF Champions League trophy in 2003,
Ezeji has other remarkable credentials attached to his name including winning a
domestic double with Dolphins (now Rivers United) of Port Harcourt in 2004. He
also featured for a string of other local clubs (Sharks, Sunshine Stars,
Heartland) and a short spell with Club Africain of Tunisia. Holder of a degree
in accounting from the University of Port-Harcourt, the 37-year-old Ezeji talked
to CAFOnline.com about the exploits of the two Nigerian teams involved in the
continental club championships, Lobi Stars and Enugu Rangers as well as his
transition from the pitch to TV punditry. Below are excerpts;
CAFOnline.com: What is the major key to success for clubs playing on the continent?
Victor Ezeji: Good preparation is a non-negotiable
factor for any club to succeed in continental club competitions. It involves so
many things including the quality of your playing staff; travelling arrangements;
management of the matches and other minute factors. Any team that prepares well
would do well and I can say by and large, the two teams representing Nigeria
this time, Lobi Stars and Rangers are coping well despite challenges on the
domestic front such as fixture congestion.
How would you rate the performance of
Lobi Stars thus far?
Lobi Stars have not done badly in the Total Champions League. After losing 1-0
at home to Wydad Athletic Club, many expected ‘them to skinned alive’ in the
return.
They managed
to get a draw, which is a morale booster ahead of their next game against
Mamelodi Sundowns. If they can get a good result against Sundowns, they would
be back on the stream by the time they host ASEC Mimosas in the penultimate
match. They still have a great possibility of qualifying for the quarterfinals
if they can manage their situation very well.
What of Rangers?
Rangers have yet to suffer defeat and we have to applaud their efforts
especially in a group with former winners’ Etoile du Sahel and CS Sfaxien.
In their last
game away to Sfaxien, they fought back to draw level less than two minutes
after Sfaxien had taken the lead; and that shows the sort of confidence they
have. Surprisingly, they are the team to beat despite the presence of the two Tunisian
top sides. Rangers have so many experienced players in their fold as well as
experienced management staff. There is nothing better than blending experience
and youth. I expect Rangers to progress to the next stage.
Which players have caught your attention
from both Rangers and Lobi Stars?
From Rangers,
Godwin Aguda, Bright Silas and their entire backline especially Ajani Ibrahim
have done well. On the part of Lobi Stars, they have blended experienced
players with youths; and imagine the presence of David Tyavkase who was my
teammate when we won the CAF Champions League trophy with Enyimba in 2003. They
also have an experienced player in Cletus Itodo and others that would naturally
guide the younger players in the squad.
How soon would a Nigerian club win a
continental trophy?
With the way the trend is going, we are almost getting close. Last season, Enyimba made it to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup before losing to eventual winners Raja Club Athletic.
Lobi Stars and
Rangers have done well so far and I think they can go further especially if
they make the quarters. Usually, it’s a gradual process like we did with
Enyimba in the early 2000’s before the club became a very strong force. In the
next two or three years, we should get a club to bring back home a continental
club trophy.
Your transition from being a player to
TV pundit has been so swift; what prepared you for this new life after
retirement from football?
Life after football has not always being easy and rosy. When you are playing, you’re on top of the world because virtually everything was done for you. You hardly do or think for yourself because most of your responsibilities would be taken care by others because they want you to focus on just playing football. But you are faced with stark reality of life once you stop playing. I had long planned to be a TV pundit even whiles playing.
That’ s why I opted out of coaching when I retired; but working with SuperSport has given me the kind of opportunity I wanted. This has given me the opportunity to also share my wealth of experience with the players as well as the fans since I can always provide better insights having gone through the same route. It has been a wonderful experience for me because it has made me to do more research and learn more about the game.
I also think, it serves as a big motivation for younger players and it shows that irrespective of what you are doing today, you can be whatever you want to be. Generally, life after football has been truly amazing for me; I still work out and play as much as I can with younger players and friends.
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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