- Safiu Kehinde
Remo Stars’ hope of CAF Champions League campaign has been dashed as they crashed out of the preliminary stage after 2-0 defeat to Asfar tonight.
The Nigerian side failed to advance to the second round of the Champions League qualifier as they lost 3-2 on aggregate to their Moroccan opponent.
Following their 2-1 home win against Asfar at Ikenne last week, the Sky Blues travelled to Casablanca for the return leg.
Remo Stars held the host in the first half with both teams failing to score before the end of the first 45 minutes.
The host would, however, break the deadlock in the 53rd minutes courtesy goal from their centre forward, Joel Beya to bring the game to 2-2 on aggregate.
With just 10 minutes left before the end of the match, Remo Stars gifted the home side a goal scoring opportunity as they committed a foul on Asfar’s player in their penalty box.
Moroccan midfielder, Amine Zouhzouh, neatly converted the penalty to seal the second round ticket for Asfar as the game ended 3-2 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars’ elimination leaves Enugu Rangers as the only Nigerian side in the race for CAF Champions League.
The Flying Antelopes had secured a 2-1 aggregate win against US Zilimadjou of Comoros to advance to the second round of the preliminary stage where they will face Angolan side, Sagrada Esperenca.