Former champions Enyimba Football Club (FC) of Aba and Remo Stars were eliminated from the 2023/24 CAF Champions League yesterday by Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi and Ghana’s Medeama FC in the first round of the competition’s qualifying series.

Following remarkable tight defeats in the first legs of the play-offs a week ago, the two Nigerian teams in Africa’s best club championship were tipped to advance to the second round.

The Libyans required a late goal to beat Enyimba 4-3 in Benghazi, while Remo Stars created chances but failed to score the goal that would have tied the game, which they lost 0-1. But they messed up the scripts in the crucial home legs.

Yesterday in Aba, Al Ahly Benghazi shut down their defense and denied Enyimba the solitary goal they needed to stay in the competition.

Remo Stars avenged their goal conceded in Cape Coast at Ikenne, but their nerves let them down in the penalty shootout. As a result, they were eliminated 3-2 after a 1-1 aggregate score.

The Ivoirian referee chalked off the goal that could have saved Remo Stars in the final minute of added time.

Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance, who defeated Algeria’s Aso Chlef in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday, has been drawn in the second round against Moroccan Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB).

Benin’s Bendel Insurance will host the first leg on September 16 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.