On August 25, 2024, Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne was eliminated from the 2024/2025 African Champions League, falling to Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat in the competition’s first preliminary round. The Nigerian team was ousted after an aggregate loss of 2-3, despite a promising start in the tie.
The first leg, held on August 18, 2024, in Ikenne, saw Remo Stars secure a 2-1 victory. However, their advantage was undone in the return fixture at Rabat, where they struggled to fend off the aggressive onslaught of the Moroccan squad. The decisive moment came in the second half of the second leg, where two critical goals for AS FAR Rabat sealed the fate of the Nigerian team.
The match's turning point occurred in the 53rd minute when Joel Beya, who had previously scored for AS FAR in Ikenne, netted the opening goal for the Moroccans. With just under 12 minutes remaining, a penalty kick was awarded to AS FAR Rabat, which El Amine Zouhzouh converted confidently to secure their progression.
This elimination leaves Nigerian football with a diminished presence in continental competitions. In addition to Remo Stars' exit, El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri had been knocked out of the African Confederation Cup's first preliminary round the previous day. They too succumbed to a 2-3 aggregate defeat, marking a disappointing start for Nigerian clubs in this year's continental tournaments.
With these early exits, Nigeria now has only one representative in each of the major African club competitions. Enyimba International FC of Aba remains in the African Confederation Cup, having advanced to the second preliminary round by virtue of a bye in the opening round. Enyimba will face Burkina Faso's Etoile Filante in their next match, seeking to restore Nigeria’s fortunes on the continental stage.
The early exits of both Remo Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors underscore the challenges faced by Nigerian clubs in competing at the highest levels of African club football. As the continent's club competitions progress, all eyes will be on Enyimba to carry forward the nation's hopes and aspirations.
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