Nigeria’s CAF Champions League representatives, Remo Stars, suffered a heavy 5–1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the first leg of their second-round clash on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta.

The South African champions controlled proceedings from kickoff, taking a 2–0 lead at halftime through goals from Tashreeq Matthews and Peter Shalulile.

They resumed the second half in similar fashion, with Miguel Reisinho adding a third in the 60th minute, before substitutes Arthur De Oliveira and Katlego Ntsabeleng sealed the emphatic win with goals in the 74th and 84th minutes, respectively.

Remo Stars, cheered on by their home fans, managed a consolation through Samson Olasupo, who fired home a long-range strike in the 76th minute.

Reacting to the result, UK-based Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana expressed disappointment over the performance of NPFL clubs on the continental stage.

“After a 5-1 walloping of @RemoStarsSC by @Masandawana in Nigeria, can @NigeriaPFL fans now accept that NPFL teams are below par in quality and not fit to compete in the #CAFCL & #CAFCC?” Obayiuwana posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“How many times, and for how many years, do I have to keep saying the obvious?” he added.

Despite the heavy defeat, Daniel Ogunmodede’s men will be hoping to pull off a miracle comeback in the second leg in South Africa, where they must overturn a four-goal deficit to progress to the CAF Champions League group stage.

The return fixture will be held next weekend at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.