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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By Kunle Solaja

Two decades after their last visit ended in defeat, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will return to Abeokuta this Sunday to face Nigeria’s Remo Stars in the first leg of the second-round clash of the CAF Champions League — Africa’s premier interclub competition.

The encounter sets up a battle between two clubs with sharply contrasting pedigree and experience.

 For Remo Stars, it marks their first-ever appearance in the second round of any continental competition. For Mamelodi Sundowns, it is another step in their quest to reassert dominance on the continent — as former African champions and runners-up in last season’s edition.

Mamelodi Sundowns are 15 times South African league champions and obviously the country’s most successful club.

In many ways, Sunday’s game extends the long-standing football rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. While the Super Eagles hold the upper hand in national team contests, South Africa’s strength at club level — especially through Sundowns — tells a different story.

Indeed, the recent World Cup qualifying triumph over Rwanda, which secured South Africa’s ticket to the 2026 finals, underlined the domestic foundation of their success. All 11 Bafana Bafana starters were home-based, with five players — including captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams — coming from Mamelodi Sundowns. Others were Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, and Teboho Mokoena.

Sunday’s fixture will revive memories of Sundowns’ last competitive appearance in Abeokuta. In August 2001, they were beaten 2-0 by Julius Berger FC of Lagos during a CAF Champions League group stage encounter played at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Much has changed since then. The Pretoria-based side have evolved into one of Africa’s football powerhouses — winning the CAF Champions League in 2016, finishing as runners-up in the most recent edition, and representing Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States earlier this year.

They currently top the South African Betway Premiership with six wins, three draws, and one defeat from ten matches — the only team to have played that many games.

In contrast, Remo Stars are still finding their rhythm in the Nigeria Premier Football League, sitting 13th on the table — a far cry from the dominance of their visitors. Yet, football thrives on surprises, and the “Sky Blue Stars” from Ikenne will hope to play the role of David in this modern-day clash with Goliath.

If Remo Stars can capitalize on home advantage in Abeokuta and secure a respectable lead, they might just have a fighting chance in the return leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on October 26.

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By Kunle Solaja

South African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns, will face significant injury concerns when they take on Nigerian champions, Remo Stars, in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round tie in Abeokuta on Sunday.

They will be without one of their most versatile players, Thapelo Morena, who suffered an injury in the 35th minute of Bafana Bafana’s crucial 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over Rwanda earlier in the week. Morena, known for his pace and flexibility as both winger and fullback, limped off and was later confirmed to be unavailable for the weekend’s continental assignment.

Adding to the team’s worries is striker Iqraam Rayners, who has reportedly been withdrawn from the squad for medical reasons. Rayners, one of the club’s dependable attacking options, was expected to provide additional firepower in the forward line, but his absence leaves a void that coach Rulani Mokwena must quickly address.

There are also concerns about residual fatigue among several first-team players who featured heavily during the just-concluded international window. With South Africa’s World Cup qualification now secured, many Sundowns players have had little rest before returning to the rigours of continental club football.

Another long-term absentee is Themba Zwane, the influential playmaker whose creativity and experience have been sorely missed. Despite his absence, Mamelodi Sundowns have shown their remarkable squad depth — a quality that has kept them at the summit of the South African Betway Premiership and made them perennial favourites in Africa’s top club competition.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-3 Formation)

Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
Right Back: Khuliso Mudau
Centre Backs: Keanu Cupido, Malibongwe Khoza
Left Back: (To be decided, possibly Aubrey Modiba)
Midfielders: Marcelo Allende, Teboho Mokoena
Forwards: Kutlwano Letlhaku, Jayden Adams, Arthur Sales, Peter Shalulile

As the South Africans prepare for their return to Abeokuta — their first visit since their 2-0 defeat to Julius Berger FC in August 2001 — the injury setbacks could influence how they approach the crucial first leg against a Remo Stars side eager to cause an upset.

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