CAF Champions League
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GREAT COMEBACKS FOR ENYIMBA TO EMULATE
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
This Wednesday in Aba, Nigeria’s Enyimba have a Herculean task as they attempt to cross into the group stage of the CAF Champions’ League. Their 3-0 to Sudan’s Al Merrikh in the first leg match nearly two weeks ago has imposed a daunting task for the Nigerian side in the quest of getting to the group stage.
Failure will mean their dropping into the second tier competition, the CAF Confederation Cup. The 3-0 loss is one of the worst results that Enyimba ever recorded in the continent.
Last year, rival Sudanese club, Al Hilal also eliminated Enyimba at the same stage of the Champions League. Will affliction arise a second time for Enyimba?
Perhaps a dig into history could help Enyimba believe they can surmount the huge obstacle that Al Merrikh are posing. Sports Village Square presents some come-back moments Enyimba can draw inspiration from.
- 2020: Nigeria 4-4 Sierra Leone
This Africa Cup of Nation qualifying match played some weeks ago is enough to inspire Enyimba that it is not over until it is over. Even before the kick-off the overwhelming favourite to win were the Super Eagles on account of historical antecedents and comparative strength.
Things appear to be according to prediction as within 30 minutes, the Super Eagles were four goals up. But a determined Leone Stars side overcame the deficit and drew 4-4 to record one of the most amazing comeback stories in Africa.
- 1979: Mufulira Wanderers (Zambia) 4-0 Simba (Tanzania); Simba 5-0 Mufulira
This is easily the biggest comeback in Africa’s inter club competition. Dating back to 41 years, the assumption for the Tanzanian side was that the game was over.
But within two weeks, they stepped up their preparations and not only reversed the result; they assailed it by a goal, winning 5-0 after a 4-0 loss away. Considerably, Enyimba have a lesser task to that of Simba.
- 1975: Mehalla (Egypt) 3-1 Enugu Rangers; Rangers 3-0 Mehalla
When the now decimated Ghazil El-Mehalla beat Enugu Rangers 3-1 in the first leg semi final match of the then Africa Cup of Champions Club, it was enough to write the Nigerian team off.
It was their biggest loss in the continent. But in the return leg match on 24 October 1975, Rangers did what was considered a impossible task, beating the Egyptians 3-0 in Enugu. If Rangers can, then Enyimba can also do it.
- 1976: Zamalek 2-0 IICC; IICC 2-0 (5-3pso) Zamalek
All hope seemed loss when the then medium power Nigerian club fell 0-2 to Egyptian giants, Zamalek in the first leg of the semi finals of the 1976 Cup Winners Cup.
IICC despite being unable to score a goal in the preceding 75 minutes, the two-goal deficit was cancelled in the last 15 minutes and IICC went ahead via 5-3 penalty shootout.
- 1984: IICC 4-0 Tonerre (Cameroon); Tonerre 4-0 (4-5pso) IICC
Sports Village Square recalls that this episode presented a even more daunting episode for the Cameroonian side than Enyimba are currently experiencing. Both IICC and Tonerre Kalara met in the 1976 African Winners Cup final in which the Roger Milla-inspired Cameroonians were the defending champions.
In the second round of the CAF Champions Cup, IICC won 4-0 in Ibadan. The Cameroonians reversed the result two weeks later but fell via penalty shootout.
- 1984/1985: Cameroon 3-0 Nigeria; Nigeria 5-1 Cameroon
Qualification for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for the 1985 World Youth Championship looked an impossible task after the team lost 3-0 to Cameroon in Yaounde on 19 December 1984.
But in the return leg played in Lagos on 13 January 1985, the Flying Eagles went on goal rampage scoring three goals in the first half. Cameroon however pulled a goal back through Oman Biyik.
The Flying Eagles scored two more goals in the second half to move on 5-4 on aggregate.
- 1985: Australia 2-3 Nigeria
The Nigerian u-21 side, Flying Eagles were condemned to win against Australia in their last Group A match of the 1985 World Youth Championship in Soviet Union if they were to advance to the knockout stage for the first time ever.
Before the match they lost 2-1 to hosts, Soviet Union but had beaten Canada 2-0. They needed a win to advance but suddenly found themselves 2-0 down against Australia at half time.
With hopes looking fade, Niyi Adeleye began an unlikely comeback after pulling a goal back in the 63rd minute. Monday Odiaka restored parity in the 78th minute before Mark Anunobi put in the winner a minute later.
- 1989: Soviet Union 4-4 (3-5pso) Nigeria
One of the most remarkable comeback episodes in global football was when the Nigerian U-20 team faced their Soviet counterparts in the quarterfinals of the 1989 World Youth Championships.
At half time, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria were two goals down. At the start of the second half, it became 3-0 after just 54 seconds. Six minutes later, the Soviet put in the fourth goal.
Then began what has turned the greatest comeback story of the U-20 World Cup. Within the next 30 minutes, Nigeria cancelled the 4-0 deficit and went ahead to win 5-3 on penalties. Enyimba too can win 3-0 on Wednesday and get through by penalties.
- 1996: Brazil 3-4 Nigeria
Who can easily forget the great comeback of the Nigerian Olympic team against a star-studded Brazilian side in the semi finals of the football event of the Atlanta ’96 Olympics?
After being 3-1 down at half time and even losing a penalty kick in the second half, the Nigerian side fought to the last minute and levelled 3-3 before scoring a golden goal in the extra time to win 4-3. This is a lesson for Enyimba.
- 1999: Kaloum Stars (Guinea) 3-0 Shooting Stars; Shooting Stars 6-0 Kaloum Stars
Shooting Stars lost 3-0 in their first leg first round match against Kaloum Stars of Guinea. The Nigerian side was able to sum up muscle and won the return leg 6-0 in Ibadan.
- 2009: Nigeria 3-3 Germany
What a rude shock it turned when Germany score three goals to take a 3-0 lead against Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in Abuja during the 2009 U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.
In the second half, they began their comeback episode from a penalty kick scored by Stanley Okoro. Kenneth Omeuro and Edafe Egbedi completed the comeback.
- 2014: Morocco 3-4 Nigeria
The great comeback of the home-based Super Eagles at the 2014 CHAN in South Africa should be inspirational for Enyimba.
At half time, the Stephen Keshi coached side were 3-0 down at the match played in South Africa. The team began a great comeback in the second half when four minutes into the half, midfielder Ugonna Uzochukwu pulled a goal back.
In the 56th minute, Rabiu Ali put Nigeria on redemption course when he reduced the tally to 3-2. Ejike Uzoenyi completed the comeback on the dot of 90 minute. The winner came in the 11th minute of the extra time when substitute player scored the fourth goal.
CAF Champions League
Salami and Shooting Stars: A Family Legacy Intertwined with Continental Glory, Says Odegbami
As Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) prepares for a return to continental football in 2027, an intriguing question is once again stirring conversations among Nigerian football enthusiasts: Is there a mystical connection between the Salami family and the club’s success on the African stage?
The question may sound fanciful, but the historical record provides enough evidence to make even the most sceptical observer pause.
For more than half a century, the fortunes of Shooting Stars and the Salami family have appeared remarkably intertwined, particularly when it comes to continental triumphs.
That fascinating relationship was the focus of the weekend’s edition of “90 Minutes with Mathematical”, the popular radio programme hosted by Nigerian football legend and former Shooting Stars player, Segun Odegbami.
Chief Olalekan “Lekan” Salami, the legendary football administrator and philanthropist, whose passion for the game shaped Nigerian football for nearly four decades. Closely identified with Shooting Stars Sports Club, Salami remained a towering influence in the club’s affairs until his death in March 1988, on the eve of a crucial meeting concerning his beloved team. Today, his legacy endures through the stadium in Ibadan that proudly bears his name.
Odegbami hosted the breakfast conversation with Yomi Salami, one of the sons of the late Chief Olalekan Sanusi Salami, the iconic football administrator whose influence on Nigerian football remains profound nearly four decades after his death.
Chief Olalekan Sanusi Salami was one of the towering figures of African football from the 1960s until his passing in March 1988.
Widely regarded as one of the founding architects of Shooting Stars International FC, he played a pivotal role in shaping professional football in Nigeria and helped transform Ibadan into one of the country’s foremost football centres.
His impact extended beyond administration. He nurtured and mentored generations of footballers, among them Odegbami himself, who would go on to become one of Nigeria’s greatest players.
Salami’s crowning achievement came in 1976 when Shooting Stars won the African Cup Winners’ Cup, becoming the first Nigerian club to capture a continental title.
That victory was a watershed moment for Nigerian football, proving that local clubs could compete successfully against Africa’s finest.
A Curious Pattern Emerges
What followed over the next several decades has become part of Shooting Stars folklore.
In 1992, four years after Chief Salami’s death, his eldest son, Yomi Salami, joined the club’s board. That same year, Shooting Stars won the CAF Cup, securing their second continental trophy.
Six years later, another son, Owolabi Salami, served on the club’s board. In 1998, Shooting Stars added the WAFU Cup to their growing collection of honours.
Now, history appears poised to offer another intriguing chapter.
Following an impressive campaign, Shooting Stars have qualified for continental competition in the 2027 season. Coincidentally—or perhaps not, depending on one’s perspective—the club is currently chaired by Taiwo Salami, yet another son of the late football benefactor.
The timing has inevitably revived memories of previous triumphs and prompted speculation among supporters about whether another continental success could be on the horizon.
Coincidence or Legacy?
For many followers of Nigerian football, the recurring connection is difficult to ignore.
Each time a member of the Salami family has occupied a position of influence within the club, continental silverware has followed.
Whether this is merely a coincidence, the result of strong football management, or a testament to a family tradition deeply rooted in the culture of the club remains open to interpretation.
What is beyond dispute is that the Salami name continues to command enormous respect within Shooting Stars and throughout Nigerian football.
The family has maintained its association with the club across generations, preserving a legacy established by a man who devoted much of his life to football development.
Beyond the Salami-Shooting Stars story, the programme will also examine the resurgence of government-owned clubs in Nigerian football.
For years, privately funded clubs appeared to be gaining dominance in the domestic game. However, traditional government-backed sides such as Shooting Stars have shown renewed competitiveness, reclaiming their place among the country’s elite teams.
The discussion is expected to explore whether this resurgence represents a sustainable trend and what it means for the future of club football in Nigeria.
Awaiting Another Chapter
As Shooting Stars prepare to test themselves once more against Africa’s best clubs, supporters will be hoping that history repeats itself.
The club’s three major international titles have all arrived during periods when the Salami family occupied influential positions within its leadership structure.
With Taiwo Salami now at the helm and continental football beckoning once again, the stage is set for another chapter in one of Nigerian football’s most enduring and intriguing relationships.
Whether destiny, coincidence or simply the continuation of a proud family tradition, the connection between the Salamis and Shooting Stars remains one of the game’s most fascinating stories.
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South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 at Royal Armed Forces of Morocco on Sunday to claim the African Champions League title 2-1 on aggregate thanks to Teboho Mokoena’s thunderous strike.
The Moroccans took the lead after 40 minutes with a penalty from captain Mohamed Hrimat to level the tie on aggregate after Sundowns claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Pretoria.
But Mokoena responded with a rocket shot from the edge of the box that beat keeper Ahmed Tagnaouti and crashed into the net off the underside of the bar in first-half stoppage time.
Hrimat missed a second penalty for the hosts with 15 minutes remaining as Sundowns held on to claim the trophy for the second time after their previous win in 2016 and qualified for both the Intercontinental Cup and 2029 Club World Cup.
Sundowns suffered a shock defeat in the final last season against Pyramids FC of Egypt, while for their Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, it was a case of third time lucky after he also lost in the decider in 2024 in charge of Tunisia’s Esperance.
“It was fully deserved, what this team has been through, knocking on the door every season. Finally, the door opened for us, and we get to add the star to the jersey,” Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams said
The South Africans were much the better side in the first leg, but had to ride their luck in Rabat as Royal Armed Forces missed a host of late chances.
The hosts took the lead from the penalty spot when Sundowns defender Divine Lunga caught attacker Reda Slim from behind as he dallied while trying to clear the ball and Hrimat converted.
But the visitors netted a superb equaliser that left the Moroccans needing to score twice, with away goals still a factor in African club football.
Tashreeq Matthews flicked on Brayan Leon’s cross from the right and Mokoena scored with a rasping shot.
Royal Armed Forces got a second spot kick when Williams brought down Youssef El Fahli after the keeper spilled a routine shot, and, trying to regather the ball, clattered into the forward.
This time, Williams dived low to his left and pulled off a superb save to deny the home side a way back into the tie.
-Reuters
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Morocco’s AS FAR will attempt to overturn a narrow first-leg deficit when they host South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the decisive second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final in Rabat on Sunday.
The highly anticipated clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium promises a dramatic finish to Africa’s premier club competition, with Sundowns arriving in Morocco holding a slim 1-0 advantage from last weekend’s first leg in Pretoria.
At stake is not only continental glory, but also a record-breaking first prize of $6 million, underlining the Confederation of African Football’s growing financial commitment to club football.
The winners will also secure qualification for three major international tournaments — the 2026 CAF Super Cup against Algeria’s USM Alger, the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Sundowns claimed victory in the first leg courtesy of a stunning free-kick from Aubrey Modiba, although the South African champions missed several opportunities that could have given them a more comfortable cushion heading into the return fixture.
Despite the defeat, AS FAR remain confident of staging a comeback in front of an expected capacity crowd in Rabat. The Moroccan side are banking on their strong home form and the intimidating atmosphere generated by their supporters.
AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos admitted Sundowns posed enormous danger in open spaces but insisted the tie remains far from over.
“It’s very difficult when Sundowns get space, they are one of the best teams on the continent,” Santos said.
“We kept the result to 1-0, and the most important thing is that we play at home and fight until the end. That’s our intention.”
The Moroccan club are chasing their first CAF Champions League title since 1985, a triumph that remains one of the most celebrated moments in the club’s history.
For Sundowns, victory would deliver a second African crown after their 2016 success and erase memories of last season’s final defeat to Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
Coach Miguel Cardoso believes his side’s experience in recent finals could prove decisive, although he acknowledged the challenge awaiting his players in Rabat.
“It’s my third CAF Champions League final in a row, and it’s the first time I go into the second leg with a goal advantage,” Cardoso said.
“This time we have the privilege to be one goal ahead, but let’s see if it’s enough or not. We will fight to make it enough.”
The final is expected to attract a global television audience across more than 100 territories, reflecting the increasing international appeal of African club football.
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