Remo Stars will begin their 2025-26 CAF Champions League campaign on Sunday (today) when they face Comoros champions US Zilimadjou at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The Nigeria Premier Football League champions seek to make history in their fourth attempt at continental football.
The Sky Blue Stars have been one of the most consistent Nigerian sides on the continent in recent years, featuring in three successive campaigns before this season. However, progress beyond the first preliminary round has eluded them, a record they are eager to rewrite with the added weight of being domestic champions.
Their African journey began in the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup against Moroccan giants AS FAR. A resolute defensive display earned a goalless draw in Rabat, but a narrow 1-0 home defeat ended their debut adventure.
The following season in the Champions League, they came close to a breakthrough against Ghana’s Medeama SC. A 1-0 away defeat was cancelled out by a spirited 1-0 win in Ikenne, only for penalties to cut short their dream.
In 2024-25, Remo Stars once again faced AS FAR, this time with a sense of vengeance. They claimed a 2-1 home win through goals from Sodiq Ismail and Nduka Junior, but another setback in Rabat saw the Moroccans advance 2-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
Despite the disappointment, the club’s growing reputation for fearless football became evident.
Now, buoyed by the experience of those near misses and the confidence of clinching their first NPFL title last season, Remo Stars return with greater ambition.
Playing away from their traditional Ikenne base due to renovation work, they will use Abeokuta’s MKO Abiola Stadium for both legs of the tie, an unusual but favourable advantage.
Their opponents, US Zilimadjou, are also seeking to establish themselves on the African stage. The Comorian champions will be making their second consecutive appearance against Nigerian opposition, having faced Rangers International last season.
They earned a 1-1 draw at home before falling 1-0 in Uyo to exit 2-1 on aggregate. This season marks their first meeting with Remo Stars, and they will hope lessons from their debut campaign can aid them in Rancagua.
Zilimadjou arrived in Nigeria on Thursday and immediately held a light training session in Abeokuta to acclimatise and shake off travel fatigue. Their preparations underline the importance they attach to the tie, even as they contend with playing both legs in Nigeria.
For Remo Stars, the first leg offers an opportunity to set the tone, build momentum, and give their supporters belief. Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s men will be aware that a strong result is crucial before Friday’s return fixture, also in Abeokuta.
A win across both legs would set up a high-profile second-round tie against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the continent’s most formidable sides.
Meanwhile, Rivers United, Nigeria’s second representatives in the CAF Champions League, began their campaign on Saturday with a goalless draw away to FC Les Aigles du Congo at the intimidating Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. The Port Harcourt side will look to complete the job at home as Nigerian clubs aim for deeper runs in this year’s competition.
