Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Remo Stars 2-0 in the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie, advancing 7-1 on aggregate. Goals from Nuno Santos and Peter Shalulile sealed the victory at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on October 26, 2025. The win marks Sundowns' 11th consecutive qualification to the group stage.
Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria's Remo Stars in the second leg of their preliminary round matchup. The match took place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday, October 26, 2025, following Sundowns' dominant 5-1 win in the first leg in Abeokuta. This aggregate triumph highlights the experience gap between the South African powerhouse and the NPFL champions making their continental debut.
Key Moments
Sundowns asserted control early, with Nuno Santos opening the scoring in the 20th minute. He rifled a low shot into the bottom corner after a pass from Aubrey Modiba, making it 1-0 on the day and 6-1 aggregate. Remo Stars struggled to respond, managing few threats. Just before halftime, in the 43rd minute, Peter Shalulile doubled the lead with a close-range header from a set-piece, capping a one-sided first half.
In the second half, Sundowns managed the game comfortably, focusing on possession estimated at 65-70%. Remo Stars showed more intent after substitutions, with Michael Ibe testing goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from distance in the 73rd minute—their first shot on target—but it went wide. Sundowns created further chances, including a blocked effort by Shalulile in the 50th minute, but preserved a clean sheet to secure the win.
Post-Match Insights
Coach Miguel Cardoso praised his team's professionalism: “We controlled the game from start to finish. The boys showed character, and this sets us up well for the groups.” Remo Stars coach Tiago Conde reflected on the learning experience: “We learned a lot against a top team. We’ll build on this for the league.”
Sundowns, unbeaten in their last six matches under Cardoso, equal Al Ahly's record with their 11th straight group stage appearance. The draw for the group stage is scheduled for November 3, 2025, in Johannesburg. Remo Stars now shift focus to defending their NPFL title, while Nigeria's remaining representative is Rivers United.
