Star Sport Academy have continued its remarkable rise by reaching the second qualifying round of the CAF Champions League in its maiden appearance in the competition.

Founded less than four years ago and having spent only two seasons in the Sierra Leone Premier League, the Freetown-based club secured qualification after a 1-1 away draw against Medina United in Banjul, The Gambia, on Sunday.

The Sierra Leonean vice-champions advanced on the away goals rule after the first leg ended in a goalless draw at the Southern Arena in Bo last weekend.

Santigie Fornah gave Star Sport Academy a vital breakthrough eight minutes into the second half, heading home to put his side in control of the tie. Although Medina United equalised deep into stoppage time through Ebou Sanyang, the goal came too late to deny the visitors a historic qualification.

The achievement makes Star Sport Academy only the third Sierra Leonean club in the CAF Champions League era to progress beyond the preliminary qualifying round, following FC Kallon in 2007 and Bo Rangers in the 2023/24 campaign.

Before the competition was rebranded from the African Cup of Champions Clubs to the CAF Champions League, several Sierra Leonean clubs also enjoyed success on the continental stage. Real Republicans, Sierra Fisheries (now FC Kallon), and Mighty Blackpool all eliminated opponents, with Mighty Blackpool remaining the country’s only club to have reached the quarter-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.

Star Sport Academy’s reward is a second qualifying round showdown against Moroccan giants RS Berkane next month. The Sierra Leonean side will host the first leg as they seek to continue their fairytale run in African football.