JS Kabylie of Algeria underlined their continental pedigree with a commanding 2–0 victory over Ghana’s GoldStars in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round encounter.
The visitors made a bright start, imposing themselves early with their experience and intent clear from the opening exchanges. Inside eight minutes, Aymen Mahious appeared to have broken the deadlock, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. Moments later, GoldStars goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobi produced a superb point-blank save to deny the 14-time Algerian champions an early lead.
Kabylie’s pressure eventually told in the 21st minute when Medhi Merghem met a right-wing cross and finished clinically to put the visitors ahead.
GoldStars showed greater urgency after the break, pushing forward and creating a number of opportunities. However, a lack of composure in the final third prevented them from capitalising on their improved display.
Their profligacy proved costly in the 70th minute as defensive lapses from a corner allowed Babacar Sarr to tap home at the far post, doubling JS Kabylie’s advantage.
The match ended 2–0 in favour of the Algerian side, handing them a valuable first-leg cushion ahead of the return fixture in Algeria next week. The winner of the tie will progress to face either East End Lions of Sierra Leone or Tunisia’s US Monastir in the second preliminary round of the competition.
