Nigeria’s Clubs, Remo Stars, Rangers Start Champions League Campaign With Wins

Nigeria’s representatives in this season’s CAF Champions League, Remo Stars and Enugu Rangers, had an impressive start to their preliminary round campaign, as they secured victories in their respective games on Sunday, August 18.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars clinched a 2-1 win over AS FAR of Morocco in front of a spirited home crowd. Captain Junior Nduka played a pivotal role in leading his team to victory, opening the scoring with a well-timed header off a precise free kick by Sodiq Ismail in the 19th minute.

Despite the visitors equalizing early in the second half, Remo Stars regained control of the game, with Nduka assisting Ismail for the second goal, scoring with a spectacular flying header.

Meanwhile, in Uyo, NPFL champions Rangers secured a narrow victory against Zilimadjou at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, thanks to Uwumiro Frank’s 22nd-minute strike.

Although Rangers dominated the match and could have won by a larger margin, their efficiency in front of goal was lacking.

After the game, Enugu Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu said: “It was a game we had control over in the first stanza and could have scored more goals that would have killed any fight back from our opponent.

“We lowered our guard in the second stanza, and they came out to attack, but we stood out to see off the encounter,” he told reporters after the game.

“We will go back to the drawing board to prepare very well for the return leg and we are positive going forward.”

The wins for both Nigeria’s teams have set the stage for an intriguing second leg, with Rangers holding a slim advantage and Remo Stars facing a tough battle in Morocco.