Remo Stars FC have vowed to bounce back after a crushing 5–1 home defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League second-round first leg at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Sunday.
Head coach Tiago Conde admitted that his side struggled against a vastly superior and more experienced opponent but insisted that the tie is not over yet.
“It’s a different context, a different team, a different environment. We cannot compare Mamelodi’s history in this competition to that of Remo Stars,” Conde said after the match.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged that the South African champions’ depth, quality, and financial strength gave them a clear edge, but he emphasized his team’s determination to respond positively in the return leg.
“A difference of four goals is challenging; we recognize that, but it’s not impossible,” Conde stated. “In South Africa, we’ll review our mistakes, both collective and individual, and develop a better strategy.”
Making only their second-ever appearance in the CAF Champions League, the Sky Blue Stars found themselves overwhelmed by the pace and precision of the Brazilians, who dominated possession and punished every defensive lapse.
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Remo Stars fans have taken heart from Conde’s promise to regroup and fight back when they visit Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday, October 26.
The Nigerian club will need a near-perfect performance to overturn the deficit and keep their continental campaign alive against one of Africa’s most formidable teams.
