Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede has acknowledged the significant challenge his team faces to advance to the next preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, despite securing a 2-1 victory over AS FAR of Morocco in the first leg on Sunday in Ikenne, National Daily Newspaper Reports.
The goals for Remo Stars were scored by Captain Junior Nduka and defender Sadiq Ismail.
Ismail’s decisive header secured the win, while he also assisted Nduka in scoring the opening goal.
However, the team conceded shortly after the restart, which has added to the pressure for the second leg.
Ogunmodede expressed both satisfaction and concern following the match. “We are pleased with the win, but conceding a goal makes the second leg more challenging for us,” he said. “We need to be more clinical in front of goal.
We had opportunities in this match that we failed to convert, which we must improve upon.”
National Daily Newspaper gathered that the coach emphasized the need for tactical improvements, particularly in attack and defense during transitions. “We need to work on our attacking efficiency and ensure we defend better.
Our slow reaction in defense nearly cost us,” he added.
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Ogunmodede cautioned his players not to become complacent, reminding them of the difficult task ahead. “The job is not finished yet.
We need to remain focused and not get carried away.
The challenge is still significant, and we must be prepared.”
Remo Stars are competing in the CAF Champions League preliminary stages for the third consecutive year, having failed to advance to the group stages in their previous attempts.
In 2022, they were knocked out by AS FAR, who won 1-0 in Ikenne after a 1-1 draw in Morocco.
The second leg of this year’s preliminary round is scheduled for next Sunday in Rabat.