CAF Confederation Cup: Shooting Stars depart for Tunisia ahead of Sfaxien decider

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan have departed Nigeria for Tunisia as the Oluyole Warriors begin the final phase of preparations for their decisive CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round second-leg encounter against CS Sfaxien.

The Nigerian representatives are heading to Sfax with a narrow but valuable 1-0 advantage from the first leg played at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Saturday. Blueprint reports

The return fixture is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, at the Stade Taieb Mhiri in Sfax, with the winner over the two legs advancing to the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The departure marks another significant stage in Shooting Stars’ long-awaited return to continental football, with the Ibadan club preparing to play an away continental fixture for the first time in 27 years.

3SC carry slim advantage to Tunisia

Shooting Stars secured their advantage in the first leg through Lucky Emmanuel, who scored in the 25th minute to give the Oluyole Warriors a deserved lead.

The goal came after Shooting Stars started brightly and put the Tunisian visitors under pressure during the opening exchanges.

Emmanuel’s strike ultimately proved decisive as CS Sfaxien failed to find an equaliser despite producing a much-improved performance after the interval.

The Tunisian side increased the pressure in the second half and forced Shooting Stars into a more defensive approach, but the Nigerian defence remained resolute while the goalkeeper made important interventions to preserve the lead.

Shooting Stars also had opportunities to double their advantage late in the game but were unable to take them.

The 1-0 victory means the Oluyole Warriors will travel to Tunisia with a narrow cushion, although the tie remains finely balanced.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, described the contest as one of the closely poised first-round ties following the opening-leg matches, with the return fixtures scheduled between September 11 and 13.

Yusuf warns players of a difficult battle

Shooting Stars technical adviser, Salisu Yusuf, has warned his players to expect a completely different challenge in Tunisia.

Yusuf praised his players for their discipline and organisation in the first leg but acknowledged that the team could have secured a more comfortable advantage after creating opportunities to score more goals.

The experienced coach said CS Sfaxien are a tactical side and would be expected to approach the second leg with greater intensity, particularly with the support of their home fans.

According to reports following the first leg, Yusuf believes his players must remain focused and prepared for a “real battle” in Sfax.

The coach’s concerns are understandable, considering the quality and experience of their opponents on the African stage.

Shooting Stars therefore cannot afford to simply sit back and attempt to protect the one-goal advantage for the entire encounter.

A disciplined defensive structure, intelligent management of the game and the ability to exploit spaces on the counterattack could prove crucial to their chances of progressing.

Historic return reaches another stage

The trip to Tunisia carries special significance for Shooting Stars because of the club’s long absence from continental football.

The first leg against CS Sfaxien in Abeokuta was the club’s first continental appearance in 27 years.

Shooting Stars last featured in African club competition in 1999, making their return against one of Tunisia’s established clubs an important moment in the history of the Oluyole Warriors.

Lucky Emmanuel’s goal therefore became more than just the opener in a Confederation Cup tie. It was Shooting Stars’ first continental goal in 27 years and immediately helped the club mark its return with a victory.

The players will now attempt to complete the job in Tunisia and potentially advance further in a competition where the club hopes to revive memories of its illustrious past in African football.

Sfaxien possess continental pedigree

Standing in Shooting Stars’ way is a CS Sfaxien side with considerably greater recent experience in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Tunisian club has won the competition three times and remains one of the most established teams in the history of the tournament.

That experience makes the second leg particularly challenging for Shooting Stars, who will have to cope with the pressure of playing away from home against a side that knows what it takes to compete successfully on the continent.

The Tunisian media have also acknowledged the significance of the result, with La Presse reporting that CS Sfaxien must respond in the return leg at the Stade Mhiri if they are to secure qualification for the second preliminary round.

The hosts are therefore expected to attack from the opening whistle, knowing that a victory is necessary to overturn their first-leg deficit.

One goal separates the teams

Despite Shooting Stars’ advantage, there is little room for complacency.

The Nigerian side lead the tie 1-0 on aggregate, meaning CS Sfaxien need only one goal to draw level on aggregate.

A victory by two clear goals would take the Tunisian side through, while a one-goal win would leave the tie to be decided by a penalty shootout under the competition’s knockout rules.

For Shooting Stars, any draw would be enough to secure progression.

The Oluyole Warriors could also put themselves in a stronger position by scoring in Tunisia, as that would force Sfaxien to score twice if they are to overturn the tie.

The emphasis will therefore be on defensive discipline without completely abandoning their attacking threat.

Strong home support awaits

Another major challenge for Shooting Stars will be the atmosphere awaiting them in Sfax.

The Stade Taieb Mhiri is expected to provide CS Sfaxien with strong home support as the Tunisian club attempts to overturn the deficit.

Shooting Stars must therefore be prepared for sustained pressure, particularly during the early stages when the hosts are likely to push aggressively for a goal.

The Nigerian side will need to avoid conceding an early goal that could change the complexion of the tie and hand the initiative completely to their opponents.

At the same time, the players will have to remain confident in their ability to score, having already demonstrated in Abeokuta that they can breach the Tunisian defence.

A chance to extend the continental journey

For Shooting Stars, qualification would represent more than just progression to the next round.

It would further underline the club’s return to relevance after years away from the continental stage.

The Oluyole Warriors earned their continental ticket after finishing third in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season, ending a long wait for the historic club to return to African competition.

Their first-leg victory has already given supporters something to celebrate, but the players and technical crew know that the more difficult assignment could come in Tunisia.

The club will therefore be hoping that the journey from Nigeria to Sfax ends with another memorable performance and, ultimately, qualification for the next round.

The CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round second legs will be played between September 11 and 13, according to CAF.

Players urged to make history

As the Shooting Stars delegation settles in Tunisia, attention will shift towards the final preparations for the encounter.

The players will be aware that they are carrying the hopes of supporters who have waited 27 years to see the club back on the African stage.

They have already made history by returning to continental football with a victory.

Now, they have an opportunity to write another chapter by eliminating one of Tunisia’s most respected clubs on its own soil.

The task will not be easy, but with a 1-0 advantage, a disciplined defence and the confidence that comes with winning the first leg, Shooting Stars have given themselves a platform from which to challenge for qualification.

The final whistle in Sfax on Sunday will determine whether the Oluyole Warriors’ continental comeback continues or ends at the first preliminary hurdle.

For now, however, the message from Ibadan is clear: Shooting Stars are travelling to Tunisia not merely to defend a lead, but to complete the job and keep their long-awaited African adventure alive.