BO — Star Sport Academy marked their first appearance in continental football with a 0-0 draw against Gambia’s Medina United in the CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg on Saturday at the Southern Arena in Bo City.
The Freetown-based side, making their debut in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League, held firm against the Gambian champions in a tightly contested match. The result leaves the tie open ahead of the return leg.
Historic First for Star Sport
Star Sport earned their place in Africa’s premier club competition after finishing second in the 2025/26 Leone Rock Premier League with 61 points. They qualified after league champions Bo Rangers declined to participate.
The club is led by head coach Amidu Karim.
Medina United, who won the Gambian league in just their first season in the top flight, also arrived in Bo aiming to make history for Gambia’s return to CAF club competition.
Match and Next Fixture
The first leg was played on September 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM GMT in Bo.
The second leg will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 4:30 PM GMT at the Independence Stadium in Banjul. The winner of the tie will advance to face Moroccan side RS Berkane in the next round.
Sierra Leone’s Continental Representation
Star Sport is one of two Sierra Leone Premier League clubs in CAF competition this weekend. East End Lions will represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup against Amadou Diallo FC of Côte d’Ivoire.
The Sierra Leone Premier League Board has called on fans to support both clubs as they seek to end the country’s long wait to reach the CAF group stages. Mighty Blackpool remains the only Sierra Leonean club to have reached the quarter-finals of a CAF competition.
