CAF Competitions: Remo Stars wins, Rivers held, Kwara United lose, and Abia Warriors draw

Remo Stars made a commanding start to their CAF Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over Comoros champions US Zilimadjou in the first leg of their preliminary round clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, on Sunday.

The Nigeria Premier Football League champions, making their fourth successive continental appearance, showed composure and ruthlessness in front of their home fans to all but seal progression to the next round.

Remo took the lead in the 13th minute through defender Leonard Ngege, who reacted quickest to a loose ball after a corner from the left.

The goal came after Joseph Abah had already tested goalkeeper Youssouf Diawadi with an early effort, setting the tone for the evening.

The Sky Blue Stars nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Olamilekan Adedayo’s lofted pass found Alex Oyowah, whose mazy run past two defenders ended with a shot narrowly wide of the target.

Their pressure eventually paid off in first-half stoppage time. A training-ground routine from a free-kick saw Chigozie Chilekwu combine with Ibrahim Abubakar before cutting the ball back for Ebuka Anthony, who slotted calmly into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 at the break.

Remo continued their dominance after the restart. In the 69th minute, substitute Adama Goita rose highest to meet Abubakar’s precise cross, heading beyond Diawadi for the third.

Ten minutes later, another substitute, Samson Olasupo, sealed the victory. The striker converted from close range after being teed up by Haruna Hadi, assisting him in back-to-back games.

US Zilimadjou, who were hoping to draw from the experience of their debut continental campaign last season against Rangers International, struggled to cope with the pace and intensity of Daniel Ogunmodede’s men.

Their best chance came in the opening stages when they forced a defensive clearance, but their attacking threat faded as Remo took control.

The result places Remo Stars in a strong position ahead of Friday’s second leg, which will also be played at the same venue due to stadium arrangements.

Victory across both legs would set up a high-profile tie against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round.

Nigeria’s other representatives, Rivers United, began their campaign with a goalless draw away to FC Les Aigles du Congo in Kinshasa. 

Elsewhere, Kwara United began their 2025/26 continental campaign with a narrow 4-3 defeat away to Ghanaian outfit, Asante Kotoko, in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup encounter played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.

The Harmony Boys, who are bidding to secure a place in the group stages of the competition this season, went down in the 18th minute, courtesy of a goal from Emmanuel Antwi, before John Atule levelled matters in the 34th minute.

However, Kotoko retook the lead on the stroke of half-time through Albert Amoah, but Kwara proved a resilient force as they equalised deep into first-half stoppage time after Atule got his brace of the afternoon.

Upon resumption of the second half, the Ghanaian outfit scored twice in the 47th and 73rd minutes respectively, through Joseph Ablorh and Amoah, whose penalty ensured he also got a brace in the encounter.

Kwara were not done, though, as they provided one more twist to the clash after Abdulraheem Shola found the back of the net with just five minutes left on the clock.

Coach Tunde Sanni’s men fought for an equaliser late on, but Kotoko held firm to secure their slim advantage heading into the second leg next week. Kwara will host the return fixture on September 27, with the winner on aggregate progressing into the next qualification phase of the competition.

And Abia Warriors could not make home advantage count, as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Djoliba of Mali, in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie played at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts went in front through Emeka Obioma in the 21st minute; however, they could not hold as Djoliba grabbed a crucial equaliser and a precious away goal in the 88th minute.

As it stands, Abia Warriors must score in the return fixture next week if they hope to secure a place in the next round of the competition.