Remo Stars beat ASFAR of Morocco 2-1 in their CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg fixture played on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Nigeria Premier Football League representative went in front through Nduka Junior before the visitors’ equalizer from Joel Beya after the restart; Sodiq Ismail then scored the winner about 20 minutes from time in Ikenne.
Playing in the CAF Champions League for the second successive year, Remo Stars started the game the better side. However, they could not create the chances to get the goal they desired.
In a game that saw three goals from headers, Remo Stars eventually created one from a set-piece situation and that led to the game’s first goal. Sodiq, who is renowned for his excellent deliveries, put in a teasing cross for skipper Nduka to head home.
At the other end, as the game went on, the Moroccans grew into the game and nearly punished Daniel Ogunmodede’s side. Goalkeeper Obassa Adebiyi, who was making his debut, came off his line to thwart the danger.
Remo Stars were under immense pressure until the half came to an end, but Ahmed Akinyele, who was on top of his game, made the right tackles and interventions at the crucial time.
Shortly after the interval, the visitors got themselves level through a fantastic goal from Beya. Substitute Youssef Alfahli sent in an exciting cross for the striker convert.
With the goal for ASFAR, Ogunmodede introduced Alex Oyowah and Shuaibu Ibrahim in place of Franck Mawuena and Michael Tochukwu as they chased the game.
In the 68th minute, Remo Stars went in front again after some patient build up. Nduka sent a cross into the area for Ismail to attack and the full-back headed past goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid.
The game didn’t produce further goals as the Sky Blue Stars saw out the game to take a slender lead to Morocco for the second leg.
