CS Sfaxien have eliminated Nigeria’s Shooting Stars from the CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-0 victory in the second leg of their first preliminary-round tie in Tunisia.
The Tunisian side overturned the deficit from the first leg to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory and progress to the second preliminary round of the competition.
Shooting Stars travelled to Tunisia with a slender advantage after securing a 1-0 win in the first leg in Abeokuta, with Lucky Emmanuel scoring the only goal of the encounter.
However, the Oluyole Warriors were unable to protect their lead at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri, as CS Sfaxien produced a determined performance to turn the tie around.
The hosts found the breakthrough in the first half on the night and drawing the aggregate score level.
Shooting Stars needed to respond, but the Nigerian representatives struggled to find the goal that would have restored their advantage in the tie.
CS Sfaxien then added a second goal after the interval through completing the comeback and putting the Tunisians 2-1 ahead on aggregate.
The result meant Shooting Stars needed at least a goal to force the tie back into contention, but CS Sfaxien held firm until the final whistle.
The defeat brings Shooting Stars’ CAF Confederation Cup campaign to an end at the first preliminary-round stage.
The Nigerian club had hoped to build on their strong first-leg performance in Abeokuta, but the Tunisian side’s two-goal comeback proved decisive.
For CS Sfaxien, the victory keeps their continental campaign alive as they advance to the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Tunisian giants will now await their next opponent as they continue their quest for a place in the group stage.