by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Star Sport Academy Forced to Share Spoils with Medina United

Star Sport Academy Football Club marked their CAF Champions League debut with a barren draw against Medina FC of Gambia in the first leg of this year’s preliminary qualifying round at Southern Arena in Bo on Saturday.

The Sierra Leonean side, coached by experienced tactician Amidu Karim, created several chances but were unable to break through a disciplined Medina FC defence, leaving the two-legged tie finely balanced ahead of next week’s return leg in The Gambia.

However, Medina FC suffered a late setback when head coach Ebrima Gatta was sent off for unsporting behaviour in the second half.

Although disappointed by the result, Karim praised his players for their disciplined performance and fighting spirit, insisting that his side remains confident of progressing to the second qualifying round.

Star Sports Academy will now need a stronger attacking display in the return leg to keep their historic continental campaign alive.

Coach Amidu Karim Confident of Positive Start, Seeks Fan Support
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Amidu Karim Confident of Positive Start, Seeks Fan Support

Star Sport Academy’s head coach Amidu Karim is feeling optimistic about tomorrow’s CAF Champions League clash against Gambia’s Medina United at the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone.

He acknowledges the visitors are a strong side, but he is hopeful that his team will secure a victory and has urged home fans to rally behind them. During the pre-match press conference, Coach Karim mentioned that his squad is well-prepared after a challenging preseason.

“Knowing we are entering the competition, we have studied our opponents to identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to exploit them,” Coach Karim stated. Medina United is not to be underestimated; they are a formidable team.

Being mentally and physically prepared to play at home in the first leg is a significant advantage, and we anticipate the fans will come out to support the team.

He continued, “Every game brings its own pressures, especially since we aspire to win. Medina plays quality football, presenting a challenge for us, but we are ready to face it.”

Team captain James Kai Yamba assured supporters that achieving victory is our objective and that the team feels confident going into this crucial first leg of the CAF Champions League.

“We’re playing on home turf. The fans and the nation expect us to perform well and achieve the win we need. Everyone has faith in us, so we must use that confidence wisely.”

The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM on Saturday at the Southern Province Stadium in Bo City.

Both teams are getting ready for their first match in the continental stage.
Both teams are getting ready for their first match in the continental stage.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

ES Zarzis make a strong CAF Confederation start with a win over Diambars

ES Zarzis made a strong return to continental competition after 20 years. They came back from behind to beat Senegal’s Diambars 3-1 in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Friday. This was their first appearance in the competition since 2006.

Diambars surprised the home team by scoring first in the 13th minute. However, Zarzis equalised just before halftime, with Khalil Al-Qassab scoring in the 35th minute.

Al-Qassab then scored again 11 minutes into the second half, giving Zarzis the lead. Samba added a third goal in the 70th minute, securing a two-goal advantage for Zarzis before the return leg.

This win gives Zarzis a good start as they aim to make a mark in African club football after a long absence. In other matches, several games ended with close scores. Chad’s AS PSI and Côte d’Ivoire’s CO Korhogo played to a 2-2 draw, keeping their matchup open.

Cameroon’s Panthère drew 1-1 with Rwanda’s Rayon Sport, while Mauritius’s Port Louis also ended 1-1 against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy.

Sudan’s Hilal Alsahil won one of the day’s matches, defeating Ethiopian debutants Welwalo Adigrat 2-1.

The preliminary round runs from September 4 to 6, with return legs scheduled for the following week as teams aim to move towards the group stage. The 2026/27 competition includes 17 debutants alongside established clubs, and the opening round has already shown many closely contested games.

Friday’s results

  • AS PSI (Chad) 2-2 CO Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)
  • ES Zarzis (Tunisia) 3-1 Diambars (Senegal)
  • Panthère (Cameroon) 1-1 Rayon Sport (Rwanda)
  • Port Louis (Mauritius) 1-1 Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)
  • Hilal Alsahil (Sudan) 2-1 Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zamalek, JS Saoura Start CAF Champions League Campaigns with Wins

Egyptian side Zamalek defeated Djibouti’s AS Port 2-1 in Cairo in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the CAF Champions League, beginning its bid for a sixth title.

Mohamed Shehata opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Angolan forward Chico Banza doubled Zamalek’s lead with a header in the 37th minute.

AS Port, making its debut in the competition, pulled one back through Mahdi Hussein Mahbi in the 82nd minute but could not find an equaliser.

Both legs will be played in Cairo because Djibouti lacks a stadium that meets international standards. The return match is scheduled for September 12.

Zamalek last won the Champions League in 2002. It has since reached two finals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and Al Ahly in 2020.

Elsewhere, Algeria’s JS Saoura beat Guinea’s Horia 1-0, while Libya’s Asswehly defeated Zanzibar’s KVZ by the same score.

by Football Sierra Leone

Amadou Diallo FC Ready for East End Lions’ CAF Interclub First Leg

Amadou Diallo Plateau Football Academy, aka AFAD, based in Abidjan-Plateau,  are getting ready to face the East End Lions of Sierra Leone as they make their return to African elite club football.

This Sunday, September 6, they will host one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated clubs at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Stadium. This match is the first leg of the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Days before the game, AFAD’s coach, Firmin Koffi, shows calm and determination. He believes the team can succeed in their first challenge in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“We know we’ll face a team that plays direct football with intensity,” says Koffi, highlighting the importance of a strong start in the two-legged tie. “It’s crucial to perform well at home; we aim for a solid lead, ideally 3-0.”

Koffi draws confidence from the team’s preparation, with five wins, five draws, and four losses to their name. He notes that all injured players have returned, and the core of last season’s squad is intact.

AFAD approaches their first African match with seriousness and ambition, aiming to take the lead before travelling to Sierra Leone. They will need strength on the field and support from fans.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Premier League side has arrived safely in Ivory Coast for the match.