It’s no longer news that Remo Stars’ ambitions of making a significant mark on the continental stage have been curtailed once again following their exit from the CAF Champions League last week Sunday.
The Nigerian Premier Football League giants faced a tough challenge in the preliminary round, ultimately falling to a 2-0 defeat against Morocco’s AS FAR in Rabat, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate loss, Footballrover reports.
Despite securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg at home in Ikenne on August 18, Remo Stars were unable to capitalise on their advantage in the return leg.
In a match filled with intensity and drama, the NPFL side held their ground, enduring relentless pressure from the Moroccan hosts to see off a goalless first half.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS from Rabat, Morocco is live on: https://t.co/KnIVhm7FJy#CAFCL | #WeAreRemoStars pic.twitter.com/Pm6Ns9Ozgi
— Remo Stars Sports Club (@RemoStarsSC) August 26, 2024
However, the second half brought heartbreak as AS FAR’s Joel Beya, who had previously found the net in Ikenne, struck again in the 53rd minute, putting his team ahead.
The Nigerian side fought valiantly to find an equaliser, but their efforts were in vain.
The situation worsened for Remo Stars in the 78th minute when a controversial penalty was awarded against Ifeanyi Anaemena for a soft foul inside the box.
El Amine Zouhzouh converted the spot-kick, sealing AS FAR’s progress and leaving the Ikenne Boys to ponder another missed opportunity in continental competition.
Exiting North Africa Territory
Nigeria 🇳🇬 🔜 #CAFCL | #WeAreRemoStars pic.twitter.com/GQnHh2U2Hz
— Remo Stars Sports Club (@RemoStarsSC) August 26, 2024
While the defeat is undoubtedly a setback for the Ogun-based team, the club’s coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has remained optimistic about the future, emphasising the valuable experience gained from the competition.
“Not the result we hoped for, but this valuable experience lays the foundation for brighter days ahead,” he stated.
This latest exit marks Remo Stars’ third consecutive defeat in continental competitions, yet the coach is determined to use this experience as a stepping stone for future success.
The focus now shifts to regrouping and planning the team’s next move as they aim to build on the lessons learnt from their CAF Champions League campaign.
“We will regroup and keep moving forward,” the coach concluded.
As the team prepares to bounce back, the coach’s message is clear: this is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter for the Sky Blue Stars as they continue their quest for continental glory.
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