Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan claimed a narrow 1-0 win over CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in the first leg of their first round clash of the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Saturday, Trybal News reports.
The result gave the Oluyole Warriors a strong start to their first continental campaign in 27 years. Emmanuel Lucky scored the only goal at the MKO Abiola Arena in Abeokuta.
Despite facing a team with a rich continental history, Salisu Yusuf’s men began the match with confidence. Shooting Stars controlled much of the early action against the two time competition champions.
Defender Issa Yusuf produced the first real threat from distance. However, the CS Sfaxien goalkeeper pushed his effort behind for a corner.
Winger Taheer Abubakar then had an opportunity moments later. His effort, though, went wide of the target as Shooting Stars continued to press.
Emmanuel Lucky Gives Shooting Stars the Edge
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the halfway point of the first half. Shooting Stars produced a fine move down the flank before Emmanuel Lucky finished the attack.
Desmond Ojietefian created the opening with a well timed nod down. Lucky then reacted quickly and fired the ball into the net to put the home side ahead.
Shooting Stars continued to push after taking the lead. Yusuf came close again following another well worked attack as the Oluyole Warriors looked for a second goal.
The Ibadan side went into the interval with their 1-0 advantage intact. However, the match changed after the restart as CS Sfaxien increased the pressure.
Shooting Stars spent much of the second half defending in their own half. Even so, goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal stood firm when the Tunisian visitors threatened.
The home side showed strong resolve under pressure. They kept CS Sfaxien at bay and protected their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
Shooting Stars also had chances to put the tie beyond doubt late in the game. However, they failed to convert several opportunities before seeing out the victory.
The 1-0 result gives Salisu Yusuf’s team a slender advantage heading into next weekend’s return leg in Sfax.
Shooting Stars will now aim to protect that lead and secure a place in the second round of the preliminary stages. CS Sfaxien, meanwhile, must overturn the deficit on home soil to keep their continental campaign alive.
