Shooting Stars Edge Past CS Sfaxien In Historic Continental Return Opener

The Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) marked their historic return to continental football with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Tunisian powerhouse CS Sfaxien on Saturday, securing a vital first-leg advantage in the CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round.

In a match played at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, the Oluyole Warriors ended their 27-year absence from African tournament football in front of a raucous, expectant crowd.

The decisive moment came in the 26th minute when striker Emmanuel Lucky found space in the box and expertly slotted the ball past the Sfaxien goalkeeper, sending the stadium into a frenzy.

Despite a late second-half surge from the Tunisian heavyweights, who have won the tournament a record three times, 3SC’s disciplined defense held firm to keep a clean sheet.

While the 1-0 victory gives the Ibadan-based side a crucial edge, the job is only half done. Technical Assistant, Salisu Yusuf and his men now face a daunting trip to Tunisia for the reverse fixture at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Sfax next weekend, where they must protect their slender aggregate lead to advance to the second preliminary round.