Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Remo Stars, kick off their 2025/26 CAF Champions League campaign today (Sunday) against Comoros champions, US Zilimadjou, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
The fixture marks the Sky Blue Stars’ fourth attempt at continental football and their first as Nigerian league champions. Despite featuring in three successive campaigns, the Ogun State side are yet to progress beyond the first preliminary round—a record they are determined to change this season.
Remo’s continental journey began in the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup, where they held Moroccan giants AS FAR to a 0-0 draw in Rabat before losing 1-0 at home. The following season, in the Champions League, they defeated Medeama SC 1-0 in Ikenne after a first-leg loss but were eliminated on penalties.
Last season, they returned against AS FAR, winning 2-1 at home through goals from Sodiq Ismail and Nduka Junior, only to fall 2-0 away, 3-2 on aggregate to crash out.
Despite those near misses, Remo have built a reputation for fearless football. With the experience of past campaigns and the confidence of winning their first NPFL title last season, coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s men are back with renewed ambition.
Due to renovation work at their Ikenne base, the club will host both legs in Abeokuta—an unusual but potentially advantageous situation. Their opponents, US Zilimadjou, are featuring in the Champions League for the second time and faced Nigerian opposition last season, holding Rangers International 1-1 at home before losing 1-0 in Uyo.
The Comorian champions arrived in Nigeria on Thursday and have been training in Abeokuta to adapt ahead of the tie.
For Remo Stars, today’s match is crucial in setting the tone before Friday’s return leg, also in Abeokuta. Victory over both legs would set up a blockbuster second-round clash with South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns.
Meanwhile, fellow Nigerian representatives Rivers United began their Champions League campaign on Saturday with a goalless draw against FC Les Aigles du Congo at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. The Port Harcourt side will now seek to finish the job at home.
