Mamelodi Sundowns underlined their status as one of Africa’s most formidable sides with a ruthless 5–1 demolition of Remo Stars in Abeokuta on Sunday, in a result that not only stunned the home crowd but also went down in history as the heaviest continental home defeat ever suffered by a Nigerian club, The PUNCH reports.

The Brazilians, as Sundowns are famously called, were clinical, composed and merciless, punishing every lapse from the Nigerian champions in a performance that left the MKO Abiola Stadium silent by the final whistle.

For Remo Stars, it was an afternoon that began with early promise but descended swiftly into an unmitigated disaster.

The South African heavyweights, who had previously scored only twice in their last three visits to Nigeria, hit four in Abeokuta before adding a fifth late on, a statistic that perfectly captured their dominance.

Remo began brightly, pressing high and creating early pressure in search of an opener. Their intensity almost paid off when Adama Goita’s low drive was deflected wide, before Victor Mbaoma came close moments later after latching onto a loose pass. But those half-chances would soon count for nothing.

In the 12th minute, Neo Maema threaded a clever pass into the path of Lesiba Nku, who squared for Thapelo Matthews to calmly slot past goalkeeper Obassa Adebiyi. It was a moment that silenced the home supporters and set the tone for what was to come.

Remo responded with flashes of intent, Goita again tried from range, Ahmed Akinyele sent one over the bar, and Mbaoma forced Ronwen Williams into a smart save, yet their final-third execution lacked precision.

Sundowns doubled their lead just before the interval through talismanic forward Peter Shalulile, who pounced on a defensive lapse to guide home from close range.

Two goals down before the break, the Sky Blue Stars were visibly shaken, their defensive organisation in tatters as the visitors dictated tempo with trademark precision.

After the restart, Miguel Cardozo’s men took complete control. Khuliso Mudau, tireless on the right flank, burst forward in the 61st minute to set up Miguel “Reinsinho” Reinildo for his first-ever goal in African competition, a crisp low finish that effectively ended Remo’s resistance.

With the hosts still reeling, Sundowns continued to probe, their interplay between midfield and attack leaving Remo’s back line stretched. Substitute Arthur Sales then compounded the misery, coming off the bench to make it 4–0 in the 75th minute after a sweeping move that carved open the Nigerian defence.

Remo finally had something to cheer two minutes later when Samson Olasupo, one of their liveliest performers, cut inside and drilled a low shot past Williams following a clever layoff from Goita. The goal was scant consolation, but it at least prevented the hosts from going scoreless.

The joy, however, was short-lived. In the 87th minute, Tsiki Nsabeleng, a South African youth international of Nigerian descent, came off the bench to score his first senior goal for the Brazilians, capping off a five-star performance with a calm finish from a Mothiba assist.

By the time the referee signalled four minutes of stoppage time, the contest had long been settled

The 1–5 scoreline was more than just a defeat. It marked the worst home loss ever recorded by a Nigerian club in any CAF competition and the first time a Nigerian side has conceded five goals at home on the continent.

Remo’s usually disciplined backline, which had impressed in their previous round against Comoros’ US Zilimadjou, was repeatedly exposed by Sundowns’ speed, tactical intelligence and superior composure.

For Daniel Ogunmodede’s men, this was a painful reminder of the gulf in experience and depth at this level. The Sky Blue Stars, who came into the tie dreaming of a first-ever CAF Champions League group-stage appearance, must now produce a miracle in Pretoria to overturn a four-goal deficit.

Despite flashes of individual quality from Mbaoma, Goita, Olasupo, and others, the Nigerian champions were undone by defensive frailty and lapses in concentration, errors ruthlessly punished by one of the continent’s most polished outfits.

As the final whistle blew, Sundowns’ players celebrated the statement victory that will restore confidence back to Cardozo’s team after a shaky start to the season, while Remo trudged off to a stunned makeshift home crowd. The return leg in Pretoria on October 26 now appears a mere formality. (PUNCH)