CAFCL: Sundowns thrash Remo Stars 5-1 in Abeokuta

By Tosin Omojola –

South African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns, displayed a dominant performance against Remo Stars, thrashing the Nigerian league champions 5-1 in the CAF Champions League second-round first-leg tie on Sunday.

The encounter, played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, saw the South Africans take the Ikenne-based side apart, underlining the superiority of the South African league over its Nigerian counterpart.

The visitors were ruthless from the start, with Tashreeq Matthews’ early strike setting the tone before Peter Shalulile doubled the advantage before halftime.

Miguel Reisinho added a third in the 61st minute, followed by goals from Arthur Sales and Tsiki Ntsabeleng to complete a five-star performance.

Remo Stars’ consolation came from Samson Olasupo in the 77th minute, but it did little to dent Sundowns’ dominance.

The emphatic result leaves Miguel Cardoso’s men firmly in control ahead of the return leg in Pretoria, where they are expected to seal qualification for the group stage as they continue their quest for a second continental crown.

It is indeed going to be a mountain too high to climb for the Sky Blue Stars when they visit South Africa for the return leg.

Recall that Rivers United, Nigeria’s other representatives in the competition, fell 0-1 away to Black Bulls of Mozambique — a result that still gives the Pride of Rivers hope of scaling through.