Ghana Premier League champions, FC Samartex, secured a hard-fought victory in their debut appearance in the CAF Champions League.
The Timber Boys faced Cameroonian side, Victoria United, in the first leg of the preliminary round on Sunday at the Japoma Stadium.
Head coach Nurudeen Amadu fielded a strong lineup for the match. Despite a goalless first half, Samartex finally broke the deadlock with Emmanuel Mamah’s towering header from a corner kick.
In the final fifteen minutes, both teams applied intense pressure, but no further goals were scored, and the match ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
FT: A debut appearance in Cameroon that will forever be etched in our history books, as the Timber Giants displayed a commanding spirit to secure all three points.
Victoria 0:1 #Saxfc#VictoriaSaxfc #CAFCL #TimberGiants 🟢⚪🟢 pic.twitter.com/bgHYnpXIDc
— FC Samartex 2023/24 Ghana Premier League Champions (@FcSamartex1996) August 18, 2024
FC Samartex will host Victoria United for the return leg on Sunday, August 25, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The winner of this tie will advance to face either Niger’s AS GNN or Morocco’s Raja Casablanca in the second round.
Raja is close to securing their spot in the next round after a 2-1 away victory over AS GNN.