Nigeria’s representatives in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League, Rangers International of Enugu and Remo Stars began their preliminary round campaign with wins on Sunday, August 18, 2024 in Uyo and Ikenne respectively.
In Ikenne, Ogun State, Remo Stars captain, Junior Nduka and Super Eagles defender Sodiq Ismail inspired a 2-1 win over ASFAR FC of Morocco in front of a packed stadium.
Center back, Nduka Junior opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a header off a perfectly weighted free kick by Sodiq Ismail.
After the opening goal, chances were few and far between for Daniel Ogunmodede’s side to double their advantage and they were pegged back by the visitors who equalized four minutes after the restart.
Remo took control of the game again after few changes and Captain Nduka turned provider for the second goal, picking out Ismail who finished off the move with a superb flying header to make it 2-1.
The second goal charged the home fans again. Despite the 2-1 first-leg win for the Nigerian club, the game remains delicately poised ahead of the second leg in Morocco on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Meanwhile, in Uyo, NPFL champions Rangers made sure it was two out of two for Nigeria with another slim victory against their hosts US Zilimadjou at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. The Comoros Island Champions adopted Uyo as their home ground and so hosted the first leg on Nigerian soil.
Uwumiro Frank was the hero for the Flying Antelopes courtesy of his 22nd strike to give Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side a slim advantage heading into the second leg next week at the same venue.
Rangers dominated the encounter from start to finish and could have won by a larger margin but for their wastefulness in front of goal.
However, the Nigerian champions will go into the second leg as favourites to go through while Remo Stars still have a battle on their hands in Morocco.
