Shooting Stars lead CS Sfaxien 1-0 at half-time in their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round tie at MKO Abiola Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday, 5 September 2026.
The Nigerian side made home advantage count during an intense opening 45 minutes, with Lucky Emmanuel’s goal giving the Oluyole Warriors a valuable advantage before the interval.
The decisive moment came in the 25th minute, when Emmanuel found the breakthrough for Shooting Stars. His finish settled a closely contested first half and placed the hosts in front at the break.
Shooting Stars had been able to impose themselves during the early stages of the contest, but the match remained competitive before Emmanuel’s goal. Once the Nigerian team moved ahead, CS Sfaxien were required to respond and find a way through a well-organised defence.
The Tunisian club, known by the nickname the Ceistes, have attempted to recover since conceding. However, their efforts have so far been frustrated by a compact Shooting Stars defensive block.
That organisation has allowed the hosts to protect their lead and reach half-time with a significant psychological boost. The single-goal advantage gives Shooting Stars a provisional edge on home ground as both teams prepare for the final 45 minutes.
The scoreline also leaves CS Sfaxien needing an equaliser after the restart. Their technical staff will have to make tactical adjustments at the beginning of the second half if the Tunisian side are to overturn the current momentum and secure a crucial away goal.
Shooting Stars, meanwhile, will look to maintain the discipline that has kept CS Sfaxien at bay and preserve the advantage created by Emmanuel. The Nigerian team have yet to extend their lead, but their first-half performance has placed them in the stronger position at the interval.
The match is being played in Ibadan as part of the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. Shooting Stars’ 1-0 lead remains provisional, with the outcome still to be decided during the second half.