CAF Champions League Prelims: Tunisian Clubs Impress, Remo Stars Thrash Zilimadjou

The first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary round brought contrasting storylines across the continent. 

Tunisia’s heavyweights delivered commanding results, Nigeria’s Remo Stars dazzled at home, and elsewhere stalemates set up tense deciders next weekend.

Esperance and Monastir Show No Mercy

Esperance wasted no time asserting themselves in Niamey. 

Kamel Boualia’s early strike gave the visitors control, and Aboubacar Diakité added two goals in the second half to secure a 3-0 triumph over AS FAN. 

The four-time African champions dictated tempo, pressed when required, and allowed almost nothing in their defensive third. 

With such a margin, they return to Tunis confident of completing the job.

US Monastir produced an equally ruthless display in Freetown, routing East End Lions 4-0. 

Their first-half patience paid off with a goal on 34 minutes, before three more in the closing stages turned the contest into a rout. 

The result leaves the Sierra Leonean side needing an improbable turnaround in the return fixture.

Remo Stars Deliver a Statement

In Ikenne, Remo Stars thrilled their home fans with a 4-0 demolition of Comoros champions US Zilimadjou. 

Lamine Ndenge set the tone with a 12th-minute strike, while Ebuka Anthony doubled the lead just before the break. 

Adams Goïta’s thunderous finish and Seun Olasupo’s composed effort completed the scoring. 

Their sharp pressing and quick interchanges showcased a team eager to prove it belongs on Africa’s grand stage.

Tight Battles Across the Continent

Not every tie was so one-sided. In Togo, ASC Kara and Morocco’s RS Berkane cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. 

Kara struck shortly after halftime through Amoudane Ouro-Ayeva, but Oussama Lamlioui responded on 77 minutes to hand Berkane a valuable away goal.

Four other games ended goalless. Colombe and Jaraaf neutralized each other in Yaoundé, Jamus held Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman, Fundación Bata and Nouadhibou could not be separated, and Leopard drew blank with Black Bulls. 

In each case, structure outweighed ambition, leaving everything on the line for the return legs.

In Madagascar, Elgeco Plus and Malawi’s Silver Strikers served up a lively 1-1 encounter. 

The hosts opened the scoring, yet the Lilongwe side clawed back to take an important away goal into the second meeting.

What Lies Ahead

This season’s Champions League is the broadest in scope yet, featuring 62 teams and CAF support for those exiting early. 

The likes of Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and holders Pyramids FC will join in the next phase, raising the stakes even higher.

For clubs already trailing heavily, the path is straightforward but daunting: score early and hope for momentum. 

For those locked in stalemates, the second legs scheduled between 26 and 28 September are essentially winner-takes-all contests. 

With aggregate ties heading to extra time and penalties if needed, fine margins will decide who advances to October’s decisive preliminary round and edges closer to the group stage in November.