CAF: Emmanuel’s goal secures win for Shooting, Rivers Utd draw away

After 27 years, Shooting Stars returned to the continent with a 1-0 win against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
Lucky Emmanuel was the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 25th minute to give the Oluyole Warriors a deserved lead before the break.
The match kicked off with intense energy from both sides, but it was Shooting Stars who seized the moment early with Emmanuel’s goal sending the home supporters into jubilation.
His precise strike not only gave the Coach Salisu Yusuf-led Warriors the lead but also ignited a renewed sense of hope and pride among the fans and players alike.
The victory was hard-fought, with Sfaxien pushing hard to find an equaliser, but the resilient defence and determined midfield kept them at bay.
Shooting Stars had opportunities to extend their lead towards the end of the match but failed to convert the chances.
The victory gave Shooting Stars an important advantage ahead of the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup campaign next weekend with the return leg in Tunisia scheduled for Sunday, September 13 at 6 pm Nigeria time.
In far-away Côte d’Ivoire, Rivers United started their CAF Champions League journey with a crucial point against FC San-Pédro.
The away team scored the first goal but the Port Harcourt-based side scored the equalizer with the game ending 1-1.