Lobi Stars of Makurdi lost the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary match 1-0 away to USM de Loum of Cameroon on Wednesday evening.
Lobi Stars survived the first 45 minutes, with scores at 0-0 despite playing second fiddle to the Cameroonians, who were unlucky not to score.
USM continued from where they left off in the first half by mounting sustained pressure on the defence of the Nigerians, who were able to hang on until 15 minutes to the end of the game.
A solo effort from Jean Abadan did the trick for the host to put them one goal up, a lead they almost lost if not for Alex Aghahowa who failed to put enough power in his effort when he was through on goal.
The Nigerians seized the initiative as they pour forward in search of a leveler but met strong resistance in the defence of their hosts.
However, USM were fortunate to pick a win, thanks to Samad Kadiri’s miss in the second minute of time added on after regulation time.
The second leg will hold next Wednesday at Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, unless a repeat happens of the drama that ensued before the first leg, which had to be moved from Stade de Njuombe due to political crisis.
Officials said other available venues are undergoing construction ahead of the 2019 AFCON, and Wednesday’s tie had to hold at Stade Millitaire de Ben Aknoun in Yaounde.
