CAF Champions League: Remo Stars to Face US Zilimadjou in First Preliminary Round

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars have been drawn against Comoros side US Zilimadjou in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The draw, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday, sets up a historic challenge for the Sky Blue Stars, who will host the first leg at their Ikenne home ground in September.

Whoever emerges victorious will face South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the second preliminary round — a fixture that promises to test even the most seasoned squads.

Nigeria’s other representative, Rivers United, will face the yet-to-be-determined Democratic Republic of Congo champions in their opening tie. The winner of that encounter will battle AC Leopards of Congo or Black Bulls of Mozambique for a place in the group stages.

Opinion:
For Remo Stars, this is more than just another fixture — it’s a chance to announce themselves on the continental stage. Playing US Zilimadjou may look like a manageable draw on paper, but the CAF Champions League has a way of turning “easy” fixtures into tricky battles.

The real test, however, looms in the next round against Mamelodi Sundowns, one of Africa’s most consistent and well-funded clubs. If Remo Stars can navigate their way there, it will be a statement of intent not just to Nigeria, but to the whole of African football.

As for Rivers United, their draw leaves an air of uncertainty, but seasoned NPFL fans know they thrive when the stakes are high. With both teams carrying Nigeria’s hopes, the upcoming months could deliver some of the most exciting continental football in recent memory.