CAF club competitions: FC Samartex, Nsoatreman FC walk a tightrope in Africa

With their dreams of CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup glory hanging in the balance, Ghana's FC Samartex 1996 and Nsoatreman FC prepare for their decisive return legs this Saturday in North Africa.

The Ghana champions must secure a crucial win in Morocco against Raja Casablanca, while Nsoatreman FC need a dramatic turnaround in Algeria against CS Constantine. 

Nsoatreman FC's challenge is particularly daunting as they face CS Constantine at Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui. After a 2-0 defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium last Friday in the CAF Confederation Cup, the Ghanaian side must overturn the two-goal deficit to advance.

CS Constantine’s Zakaria Benchaa was the standout performer, scoring twice in quick succession to put Nsoatreman Fc on the back foot. For Coach Yaw Preko’s side, it is a high-stakes mission to salvage their campaign with a remarkable performance in Algeria.

Meanwhile, FC Samartex is also set for a critical showdown in their CAF Champions League journey. They take on Raja at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in a must-win clash.

Despite a slightly more favourable situation compared to Nsoatreman FC, the Samreboi-based side must secure a win to progress to the next stage of Africa’s premier inter-club competition.

Coach Nurudeen Amadu’s side squandered a 2-1 lead in the first leg yesterday, drawing 2-2 with Raja at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday to make the return encounter challenging.

The match commenced with Raja demonstrating their quality as Mohammed Azriba gave them the lead in the 20th minute, heading home from a corner kick. Samartex, however, regrouped and levelled the score in the 37th minute through Francis Gyetuah after a period of dominance.

FC Samartex regained the lead just before half-time when Michael Ephson capitalised on a rebound from a  free-kick, giving them a 2-1 advantage and prompting a heated reaction from Raja’s bench, which saw their coach, Rusmir Cviko, receive a yellow card.

Determined to extend their lead, FC Samartex faced increased pressure in the second half as fatigue set in. Raja equalised in the 63rd minute when Marouane Ziha created an opening for Mohammed Boulacsout to score.

Coach Amadu responded with tactical changes, introducing Baba Hamidu Musa and Ebenezer Ocran to regain control. Despite these adjustments, Raja's pace and skill continued to trouble Samartex.

A crucial save by goalkeeper Samuel Tetteh in the 70th minute kept the home side in the game, denying Yousri Bouzok a third goal for Raja.

In a last-ditch effort to secure a home victory, the ‘Timber Giants’ launched several attacks in the final moments, including a series of long shots that missed the target.

The game took a dramatic turn when Raja Casablanca was reduced to 10 men after Azriba received a second yellow card. Despite this numerical advantage, FC Samartex failed to capitalise, with Musah’s last-minute bicycle kick narrowly missing the mark, leaving the fans in disappointment.