As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for their CAF Champions League debut this
season, head coach Miguel Cardoso faces a tricky first test against
Nigeria’s Remo Stars. The South African giants will travel to Nigeria for
the first leg of the second preliminary round, facing a club on a meteoric
rise but still finding its feet on the continent.
A Meteoric Domestic Rise
Remo Stars, known as the Sky Blue Stars, are the reigning Nigerian Premier
League champions, a title they won for the first time in their history last
season with three games to spare. This historic achievement is the peak of a
remarkable journey. Since returning to the top flight in the 2021/22 season,
they have been consistently knocking on the door, finishing third and then
second in consecutive campaigns before finally claiming the crown.
A Nascent Continental Challenge
Despite their domestic dominance, Remo Stars are newcomers to the elite
stage of African football. Their continental experience has been brief, with
early exits in their previous attempts:
- 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup: Eliminated in the first preliminary
round by AS FAR Rabat (1-0 on aggregate). - 2023/24 CAF Champions League: Knocked out in the first preliminary
round by Ghana’s Medeama SC on penalties. - Last Season’s CAF Champions League: Again narrowly edged out by AS FAR
Rabat (3-2 on aggregate).
Their current run, having comfortably beaten Comoros’ US Zilimadjou 5-0 on
aggregate, marks the first time the club has reached the second round of any
CAF competition.
Founded in 2004, the Nigerian outfit has experienced a rapid ascent, making
this clash against the experienced Sundowns a classic encounter between an
established powerhouse and an ambitious newcomer eager to make their mark.
