CAF Confederation Cup: Olamilekan Header Gives Remo Stars Good Continental Debut

CAF Confederation Cup: Olamilekan Header Gives Remo Stars Good Continental Debut

Remo Stars started their continental campaign on a good note as they drew level on goals with Association sportive des Forces armées royales (AS FAR) at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday evening.

African debutants, Remo Stars of Nigeria pulled off a shock 1-1 preliminary round first leg draw at former CAF Confederation Cup winners, FAR Rabat in Morocco on Sunday. Cape Verde international Diney Borges gave the 2005 winners of the second-tier African club competition a first-half lead. But Olamilekan Adebayo levelled early in the second half to pull a surprise draw for the Nigeria representatives.

The Ikenne-based club journey to Morocco was the most talked about CAF fixture after the Preliminary Round draws. However, it was a night to remember for the Sky Blues as they make their first continental debut.

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede named a very strong team for this encounter with Adams, Okon and Ezekiel making their first competitive start.

The Black Army pulled an early threat against Remo after five (5) minutes of play, but Bankole Kayode went down well to keep out the first shot on target.

Daniel Ogunmodede's men had a chance of theirs, Adams Olamilekan finds Edidiong Ezekiel but he fires the ball inches wide past the goalpost. Isah Ali hit the loose ball wide after a goal scramble in the 22nd minute.

However, the hosts got the first goal in the twenty-seventh minute. Remo Stars goalkeeper, Bankole Kayode was not happy for conceding what was termed as cheap goal.

AS FAR tried to double their lead before half-time but Kayode kept out the long-range effort from the host inside the final ten (10) minutes of the first half.

Meanwhile, Adams Olamilekan heads home the equalizer off a corner in the 49th minute making the scoreline 1-1. His goal becomes the club's first-ever goal in a CAF Inter club competition.

Remo Stars had another big save from Bankole Kayode from an AS FAR set piece in the 51st minute. Meanwhile, the Sky Blue Stars keeper produced another save in the final five minutes at his near post.

Fernando Da Cruz's side gave in all they have just to get a win at home but their efforts were not enough. Remo Stars will now welcome them to their stadium on Sunday, 18 September. Kick-off at 4 pm (Nigeria Time).

Results of NPFL Clubs On The Continent:

TotalEnergies CAFCL First Preliminary Round Leg 1/2

- ASO Stade Mandji (Gabon) 2-2 Plateau United

- Rivers United 3-0 Watanga FC (Liberia)

TotalEnergies CAFCC First Preliminary Round Leg 1/2

- Kwara United 3-0 AS Douanes (Niger Republic)

- FAR Rabat (Morocco) 1-1 Remo Stars