Nigerian clubs Enugu Rangers and Remo Stars kicked off their CAF Champions League qualifying campaign with impressive victories on Sunday. Both teams aim to become the first Nigerian title holders since 2004.
Rangers secured a narrow 1-0 ‘away’ first-round, first-leg win over Zilimadjou from the Comoros, with Frank Uwumiro scoring in the first half. Due to the lack of an international-standard stadium in the Comoros, both legs will be played in Uyo.
In Ikenne, Southwestern Nigeria, Remo fought back after conceding early in the second half to secure a 2-1 victory over former African champions FAR Rabat of Morocco. Nduku Jr. scored a goal for the Stars in the first half, but Joel Beya cancelled it out six minutes into the second half. Ismaila Sodiq then put Remo in the lead again in the 66th minute, and this time, they maintained their advantage, setting the stage for an intriguing rematch in the Moroccan capital on August 25th.
In other matches, Pyramids of Egypt, who aim to make amends for their disappointing group stage exit in the previous edition, trounced JKU from Zanzibar with a 6-0 victory.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates, the first South African winners of the CAF Champions League, played to a goalless draw against the African debutants, Disciples of Madagascar.
Additionally, the Ghanaian newcomers, Samartex, seem to be on course to advance to the next qualifying round after securing a 1-0 away win over Victoria United of Cameroon, thanks to an Emmanuel Mamah goal just after halftime.