South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns send Nigeria’s Remo Stars reeling in a one‑sided CAF Champions League tie in Abeokuta.
The stage was set for a proud moment in Nigerian club football. As reigning Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars returned to the continental spotlight, hosting South Africa’s powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns in the second preliminary round of the 2025‑26 CAF Champions League. But instead of a statement victory, the Sky Blue Stars were thoroughly outplayed, dismantled 5‑1 on home turf at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday.
How The Match Unfolded
From the opening minutes, Sundowns asserted dominance in possession and tempo. In the 12th minute, Tashreeq Matthews unleashed a perfectly timed strike from just outside the box, setting the tone for what would become a rout.
Remo Stars attempted to regroup, but the first blow gave way to a second in the 42nd minute when veteran striker Peter Shalulile capitalised on a defensive lapse to double the lead before halftime. Early in the second half (61st minute), forward Miguel Reisinho added a third, sealing the visitors’ command of the match.
Although Remo earned a flicker of hope when Samson Olasupo pulled one back in the 75th minute, it proved mere consolation. Two minutes later, Arthur Sales slotted the fourth, and with the scoreboard already emphatic, Tsiki Ntsabeleng added the fifth in the 85th minute to cap the slaughter.
Stats
- Final Score: Remo Stars 1‑5 Mamelodi Sundowns.
- Goals Timeline: Matthews (12′), Shalulile (42′), Reisinho (61′), Sales (75′), Ntsabeleng (85′) / Olasupo (77′) for Remo.
- Venue: MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
- Competition: CAF Champions League, 2025‑26 Second Preliminary Round, First Leg.
The Decisive Moment
The decisive moment came when the game was still open but Sundowns struck again in the 61st minute through Reisinho. That goal, deep into the second half, erased any lingering hope for a Remo comeback and allowed the visitors to coast, control the remainder of the match and add two more; turning what had been a challenging night into a historic collapse on the Nigerian side.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Remo Stars, this defeat is a severe setback. As Nigerian domestic champions, expectations were high for a respectable continental campaign. Instead, they face a four‑goal deficit heading into the second leg and must now overturn significant odds to keep their CAF adventure alive. The result also casts a spotlight on the broader issues facing Nigerian clubs in continental competition – preparation, squad depth, and tactical discipline all appear to require urgent improvement.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, the win is business‑as‑usual at the continental level. Their away dominance underlines why they remain among Africa’s elite. The result not only boosts their confidence but sends a message that even Nigerian champions aren’t immune to their class. With this performance, the South Africans have put themselves in a commanding position to advance to the next stage.
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