CAF Confederation Cup
Remo Stars jet out in ValueJet flight for Confederation Cup debut
Rave of the Moment, Remo Stars are set for their biggest match ever as they fly out for their debut continental match.
The Kunle Soname team of 20 players and 12 back-room staff members will depart Lagos aboard the club owner’s chattered flight, ValueJet on Saturday morning for their Sunday night potentially explosive match with one of the biggest Moroccan clubs, AS FAR.
It is the first time since 1 November 1987 that a club from Ogun State of Nigeria will be involved in a continental match. The last time an Ogun State team played a continental game was when Abiola Babes of Abeokuta played against Esperance of Tunisia in 1987.
Now for the first time in the history of the Sky blue stars, the coach Daniel Ogunmodede led side will be playing in Africa’s inter club competition, this time, the second tier, the CAF Confederation Cup.
Here are all you need to know about the soon to be a historic day for the club.
ROAD TO THE COMPETITION
Remo Stars finished third on the NPFL 2021/22 table to gain one of the two available CAF confederation cup slot in the country’s topflight league
OPPONENT
On the 9th of August, the CAF draws paired Remo Stars against Moroccan side, Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal (ASFAR) in the preliminary round.
ASFAR is a well known club for the success of its football section, very popular in and outside Morocco. The team has played its home matches in the 53,000 capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in downtown Rabat since 1983.
ASFAR is one of the most successful clubs in Morocco with 30 titles in total: 12 Botolas, 12 Moroccan Throne Cups, 4 Moroccan Super Cups, 1 Botola 2, 1 African Champions League and 1 African Confederation Cup. They were the first Moroccan team to win the CAF Champions League in 1985.
VENUE
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Rabat, Morocco. It is named after Prince Moulay Abdellah of Morocco.
It is currently used mostly for football matches and it can also stage athletics. The stadium has an occupancy of 53,000 people.
The stadium was used for the final of the just-ended 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals.
TRAVELING TEAM
Twenty players with 12 backroom staffs, supporters, top club officials with selected journalists will fly to Morocco on Saturday aboard a ValueJet chattered flight via the Muritala Mohammed International Airport.
KICKOFF TIME
The first leg fixture will kickoff 8pm Nigeria time.
Due to CAF rules and regulation, our players will wear a replica of the 2022/23 new jersey but without the sponsors tag.
Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Kenya’s Police in the initial leg of the second preliminary round held in Nairobi this Saturday.
Veteran winger Abdallah El-Saied secured the win for the Whites with a precise strike from outside the box just a minute before halftime.
The Cairo giants, winners of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup title, started the match with relentless pressure on the hosts to clinch victory in the first leg and alleviate pressure before the upcoming return fixture in Cairo next Friday.
“The most important thing for us was to win and achieve our target,” Zamalek coach Gomes said after the game.
Hosts Police FC of Kenya could not breach Zamalek’s resolute defense in search of an equalizer.
Despite notable summer acquisitions, Zamalek’s coach Jose Gomes opted for a standard lineup, integrating young talents in lieu of seasoned players.
“We are now stronger than the previous season, thanks to spending more time with the team and preparing to play in the tournaments that we will participate in,” the Portuguese coach added.
Conversely, Kenya’s Police FC squandered a clear scoring opportunity against Zamalek, missing a crucial chance fifteen minutes before the final whistle, dashing hopes of leveling the score.
Kenya’s Police FC earned their place in this round following a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Ethiopia Coffee SC.
-Ahram
Nigeria’s Enyimba played a thrilling 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round tie in Bamako on Friday.
There have been three previous confrontation with Burkina Faso teams and this Friday encounter was the second time that Enyimba had had to face Etoile Filante.
According to facts supplied by Opta Nigeria, Etoile Filante were Enyimba’s first ever opponent on the continent 22 years ago in March 2002. Ever since, Enyimba have played 157 times on the continent; the highest by any Nigerian club.
Enyimba carry their advantage to the return leg to be played on 22 September.
Nigeria’s sole survivors in the CAF Confederation Cup,Enyimba will face Burkina Faso sides, Etoile de Filante in the second round of the competition.
Enyimba drew bye in the preliminary round while the Burkina Faso team reached the second round after eliminating Hafia of Guinea.
Enyimba, second runners-up in the Nigerian League will be attempting to win the Confederation Cup for the first time for Nigeria as they did in the Champions League 21 years ago.
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