Remo Stars pulled off a shock 1-1 preliminary round first leg draw at former CAF Confederation Cup winners FAR Rabat in Morocco on Sunday.
It was Remo Stars’ maiden appearance on the continent and the Moroccan club who finished in third in the Botola last season welcomed them with a 27th minute goal from Diney Borges.
But Olamilekan Adebayo levelled early in the second half for Remo State, who qualified for the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League by finishing third in the Nigeria Professional Football League last season.
Remo Stars goalkeeper Bankole Kayode then pulled up a series of impressive saves to ensure the game ended on that note for half-time, before Adams Olamilekan headed home the equaliser off a corner four minutes after the break.
FAR laid siege to Stars’ goalmouth as the second half progressed, seeking to regain the lead, but the visitors held on for an unexpected draw.
The teams meet again next weekend with the aggregate winners facing Anglogold Ashanti Golden Boys of Guinea or Nouakchott Kings of Mauritania in a last-32 tie in October.
FAR are among six winners of African competitions competing this season in the qualifying phase of the Confederation Cup.
The home side will now arrive in Nigeria for the return leg next week.