Football: NPFL champions Remo Stars to face PSL giants Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Champions League qualifiers
Remo Stars aim to make the most of home advantage against Masandawana
Remo Stars will kick off their 2025-26 CAF Champions League second qualifying round with confidence after making light work of US Zilimadjou in the first round, beating the Comoros Premier League giants 5-0 on aggregate.
That result was set up after the Sky Blue Stars secured a resounding 4-0 victory on their home patch at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, where they will be hoping to produce another solid effort when they face Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday evening.
Aside from that victory, Daniel Ogunmodede have not been performing very well this season, though, as they are currently sat in 13th place in the Nigerian Premier Football League standings, with 10 points after seven games (W3 D1 L3).
However, one factor that could play into the hands of the NPFL champions is that none of their players featured for the Super Eagles on international duty at the CAF World Cup qualifiers, which should mean that they will be well-rested coming into this clash.
Remo Stars have built their squad on the foundation of exceptional young talent over the years, culminating in their first league title last season, and this represents their toughest test to date. The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to the group stage of the Champions League main draw.
Sundowns seek improvement after sluggish start to the season
Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the Premier Soccer League in South Africa for many years, and while they are currently leading the standings this term, they have been far from convincing, only one point ahead of Sekhukhune United.
Masandawana have played a game more than Babina Noko and have already dropped nine points in 10 games this season, just two fewer than they shed across the entire of the 2024-25 top-flight campaign.
Fatigue could be another major factor for the Brazilians here, since, unlike their upcoming opponents, several Downs’ players were part of the Bafana Bafana side that earned qualification for the 2026 World Cup last week.
Additionally, Miguel Cardoso’s side does not have the best record playing in this part of the world. They have faced three Nigerian teams, Enyimba, Julius Berger FC and Lobi Stars, in Nigeria in the Champions League previously, and lost all three games.
Still, the Brazilians have plenty of experience in their ranks, with a squad still filled with players who led them to the final of this competition last season, where they were narrowly edged to the title by Egyptian Premier League outfit Pyramids FC.
