Shooting Stars marked their long-awaited return to continental football in winning fashion, edging Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie in Abeokuta on Saturday.

The Oluyole Warriors produced a disciplined performance at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena to secure a slender advantage ahead of next weekend’s decisive second leg in Tunisia. 

Lucky Emmanuel emerged as the hero for the Nigerian side, scoring the only goal of the encounter in the 25th minute.

The forward finished off a well-worked attacking move after Desmond Ojietefian nodded the ball into his path, with Emmanuel making no mistake to give Shooting Stars a deserved lead. 

The goal capped an encouraging opening period for the Ibadan-based side, who took the game to their more experienced Tunisian opponents.

Defender Issa Yusuf had earlier tested the CS Sfaxien goalkeeper from distance, while Taheer Abubakar also came close as Shooting Stars pressed for an early breakthrough.

The goal eventually arrived midway through the first half, giving coach Salisu Yusuf’s side a valuable lead going into the interval.

CS Sfaxien, one of Tunisia’s most established clubs and a former African club competition winner, returned from the break with greater urgency.

The visitors increased the pressure in search of an equaliser, but Shooting Stars’ defence remained resolute and protected their advantage.

The Nigerian side also had opportunities to extend the lead in the closing stages but failed to convert them.

The narrow victory nevertheless represents a significant result for Shooting Stars, who were playing their first continental match in 27 years. The Oluyole Warriors’ previous appearance in Africa came in the 1999 CAF Champions League. 

Their return has now begun with a clean sheet and a win against a club with considerable continental pedigree.

However, the job is far from complete. Shooting Stars will travel to Tunisia for the second leg knowing that CS Sfaxien will have home advantage and only need to overturn a one-goal deficit to swing the tie in their favour.

The return fixture is scheduled for next weekend in Sfax, with the winner over the two legs advancing to the next preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. 

The immediate objective will be for Shooting Stars to preserve their advantage and complete what would be a memorable return to the African stage.

After waiting 27 years for another continental night, the Oluyole Warriors have made the first step count.