Remo Stars, for the first time in their five continental matches, on Sunday convincingly beat favourites, Association Sportive des Forces Armées Royales (AS FAR) of Morocco 2-1 in a CAF Champions League first round first leg inter-club match encounter in Ikenne.
It was a first match in which all goals came from headers, and for the first time in their continental adventure.
After taking a commanding performance in the opening of the match, Remo Stars went up with a perfect header from their captain, Nduka Junior who connected a free-kick by ‘master-of-assist’ Sodiq Ismail in the 19th minute.
It was the first time Remo Stars scored a first-half goal in five continental matches.
Thereafter, they continued dominating the match with crisp and penetrating passes. Alas, most of the chances created were fluffed.
They were to pay dearly for those misses in the second half. In the 50th minute, AS FAR levelled when Joel Beya was given a free-header opportunity off a cross to put the scorelines at 1-1.
Thereafter, the tempo changed and the Moroccans resorted to time-wasting tactics. But as it appeared they may get away with a 1-1 draw, Sodiq Ismail, a natural wingback did the unthinkable with a remarkable diving header that can go for television exhibition.
The master of assists has turned into a goal scorer, finishing the game with an assist and a goal.
The return leg comes up on Sunday in Rabat as Remo Stars strive to cross the first-round barrier for the first time.
