By Kunle Solaja

The CAF Champions League 2025/26 second preliminary round produced fireworks on Sunday, with several African powerhouses asserting early dominance.

Among the standout results was a ruthless display by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who humiliated Nigeria’s Remo Stars 5–1 in Abeokuta to all but seal qualification for the group stage.

It is the first time a Nigerian club conceded five goals in a home match of a continental competition.

The match, played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, saw the South African champions impose themselves from the outset, showing why they remain one of the continent’s most formidable sides.

Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring early in the first half, capitalising on a defensive lapse by the home side.

Remo Stars, making only their second appearance in the competition, struggled to match the pace and precision of their visitors.

Before the break, Peter Shalulile doubled Sundowns’ advantage, converting a direct ball from goal kick to beat the entire field as Remo Stars players probably thought the player was offside.

However, there are exceptions to offside rule as players cannot be offside when they receive the ball directly from throw-in, corner kick or goal kick.

The goal highlighted Mamelodi Sundowns’ superior technical quality and tactical discipline.

The second half turned into a one-sided affair. Miguel Reisinho made it 3–0 in the 61st minute, effectively ending any hopes of a Remo Stars comeback.

As the Nigerians pushed forward in search of a response, they were repeatedly punished on the counter. Arthur Sales and Tsiki Ntsabeleng added two more goals to complete the rout and underline Sundowns’ clinical edge.

Remo Stars’ only moment of joy came in the 77th minute, when Samson Olasupo scored a consolation goal following a scramble in the Sundowns’ penalty area. However, it was little more than a brief respite in a night dominated by the visitors’ attacking brilliance.

The 5–1 result leaves the South Africans with one foot firmly in the group stage ahead of the return leg in Pretoria next weekend. For Remo Stars, the daunting task now is to salvage pride and experience from what has been a harsh lesson at the top level of African club football.

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Nigerian champions Remo Stars face the sternest test of their continental campaign this afternoon when they take on South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League second-round, first-leg clash at the Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

The match marks a defining moment for the Sky Blue Stars, who are seeking to establish themselves among Africa’s elite clubs after their rapid rise in Nigerian football over the past few seasons.

Facing the 2016 African champions and one of the most dominant sides on the continent, however, presents a formidable challenge.

David vs Goliath Battle

Remo Stars, making only their first appearance in the CAF Champions League second round, will rely on the energy of their youthful squad and the tactical ingenuity of coach Daniel Ogunmodede to contain the attacking flair of Sundowns — a side that has featured in every CAF Champions League group stage since 2018.

Mamelodi Sundowns arrive in Nigeria with an aura of confidence, boasting a squad stacked with experience, including captain Ronwen Williams, midfield maestro Themba Zwane, and Teboho Mokoena.

The South Africans are fresh from domestic victories in the DStv Premiership and will be looking to seize an early advantage before the return leg in Pretoria.

Remo Stars’ Home Advantage

Playing at home, Remo Stars will count on their passionate home fans to inspire them against one of the continent’s most technically efficient sides.

 Forward Adams Olamilekan and midfielder Hadi Haruna will be key in unlocking the visitors’ defence, while goalkeeper Obassa is expected to play a vital role in keeping Sundowns’ potent attack at bay.

Coach Ogunmodede’s Confidence

Ahead of the match, coach Ogunmodede expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

“We respect Sundowns for what they’ve achieved, but we’re not intimidated. Football is decided on the pitch, and we’re ready to fight for every ball,” he said.

Sundowns Aim to Maintain Continental Dominance

For the visitors, coach Rhulani Mokwena has made it clear that Sundowns are approaching the tie with full focus, aware that a strong first-leg performance could make their job easier back home in Pretoria.

“We know Nigerian teams are tough and physical, but we’ve prepared well. Our goal is to get a positive result and keep our momentum going,” Mokwena told South African media.

For Remo Stars, today’s clash is more than just a football match — it is an opportunity to announce their arrival on the continental stage against one of Africa’s finest football machines.

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In Maputo, Mozambican champions Black Bulls secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round encounter on Saturday.

The tightly contested match was characterized by tactical discipline and limited clear-cut chances, as both sides struggled to find attacking rhythm in the opening half.

However, the breakthrough came just five minutes into the second half, when Moctar Diallo pounced to slot home for the hosts, finally breaching Rivers United’s defensive line.

Despite late pressure from the Nigerian side, Black Bulls held firm to protect their narrow advantage, giving themselves a crucial edge ahead of the return leg.

Rivers United, Nigeria’s sole remaining representative in the competition, will now need to overturn the deficit when the teams meet again in Port Harcourt, where a win by at least two clear goals will be required to advance to the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.

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