Sierra Leonean champions Star Sport Academy suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Moroccan side RS Berkane in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on Saturday, 17th October 2026.
Played at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, because Sierra Leone currently has no CAF-approved stadium to host Champions League games, the match was decided by two first-half goals from Berkane striker Oussama Lamlioui.
Lamlioui opened the scoring in the 14th minute before doubling his side’s advantage just before the break in the 45th minute. The Moroccan giants defended their lead comfortably in the second half to take a crucial away win.
The result puts Star Sport Academy, who are making their debut in Africa’s premier club competition, in a difficult position ahead of the second leg on 24th October at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
Despite the setback, the Freetown-based club struck a defiant tone. “A tough one at home, but it’s not over yet! We dust ourselves off, regroup, and go again next weekend. We’re still in this,” the club posted on Facebook after the match.
Star Sport, founded in January 2022 and promoted to the Premier League only in 2024, earned their place in the second round after eliminating Gambian champions Medina United. They drew 0-0 in Bo and 1-1 in Banjul to progress on away goals, with Santigie Fornah scoring the decisive goal.
They entered this season’s Champions League after finishing second in the 2025/26 Sierra Leone Premier League with 61 points, taking the slot after champions Bo Rangers withdrew from the competition.
RS Berkane, by contrast, are continental heavyweights – three-time CAF Confederation Cup winners and semi-finalists in last season’s Champions League – and will now be strong favourites to reach the group stage.
