Shooting Stars have been eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 2-0 to Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the second leg of their qualifying tie on Sunday.
The defeat saw Sfaxien overturn the first leg result and secure a 2 -1 aggregate victory. As a result, Shooting Stars’ hopes of progressing further in continental competition have come to an end.
The Oluyole Warriors travelled to Tunisia with a narrow advantage after winning the first leg 1-0 in Nigeria. That result had placed Salisu Yusuf’s team in a strong position before the return fixture.
A draw would have been enough to send Shooting Stars through. They also knew that any victory would guarantee their passage to the next round.
However, the Nigerian club could not protect their advantage at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri. Sfaxien started the second leg with greater urgency and eventually found the goals they needed to turn the tie around.
The two goals changed the entire contest. Shooting Stars suddenly had to chase the game and find a way back into the tie.
The task became even tougher because Sfaxien had the benefit of home support. The Tunisian side used that energy well and stayed focused after taking control of the aggregate score.
Shooting Stars Fail to Complete the Job
Shooting Stars had worked hard to earn their 1-0 home victory in the opening leg. However, that slim advantage proved too fragile once the second leg began.
The Ibadan based club needed to remain disciplined for the full 180 minutes. Instead, Sfaxien punished them and turned the tie in their favour.
After falling behind on the night, Shooting Stars had to find at least one goal to restore their aggregate lead. That situation forced the Nigerian side to attack with greater urgency.
However, the breakthrough never came. The Oluyole Warriors struggled to create the clear opening they needed, while Sfaxien remained organised at the back.
Shooting Stars continued to fight until the final whistle, but the Tunisian side managed the closing stages effectively. They protected their lead and completed a 2-1 aggregate comeback.
The result will come as a major disappointment to coach Salisu Yusuf and his players. Shooting Stars had genuine hopes of advancing after securing a valuable first leg victory in Nigeria.
The elimination also highlights the fine margins involved in continental football. A 1-0 home win can provide an advantage, but it does not guarantee qualification.
For Shooting Stars, the challenge now is to learn from the setback. The club must quickly shift its attention to domestic football and use the experience gained from the continental campaign to improve.
Sfaxien, meanwhile, advance to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. Their comeback in Tunisia keeps their hopes of going deep into the competition alive.
For Shooting Stars, Sunday marked the end of their continental journey this season. The Ibadan club will now look to regroup, recover from the disappointment and focus on their remaining domestic fixtures.
