Aduana Stars will take a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg of their Caf Champions League first round clash with ES Sétif next weekend after Sam Adams earned them a 1-0 win at Dormaa Wednesday afternoon.
The Algerians set out to defend in numbers from start and managed to frustrate their hosts in the first half.
Aduana piled more pressure on Sétif after the break with slippery winger Zakaria Mumuni the main protagonist who drew a lot of free-kick opportunities for the Ghanaians but they failed to capitalize on the opportunities created.
But for a timely goal line clearance by Elvis Opoku just before the hour mark, Sétif would have scored the opener after both centre-back Anokye Badu and goalkeeper Joseph Addo mistimed their tackles on Hamzar Oumar. The Sétif midfielder’s final effort on goal was blocked by Opoku.
Aduana continued to push for a goal until Mumuni was brought down in the box with Ivorian referee Dénis Dembele pointing to the spot.
Sam Adams, who had come on for Caleb Amankwaah, then stepped up and hit the ball past Sétif goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba on 73 minutes.
Aduana threw in more men forward with the introduction of Yahaya Mohammed in the final ten minutes but could not extend the lead.
The Ghanaian champions have all to fight for in the second leg scheduled for March 18 in Sétif. The winner of this tie will be among the 16 teams to qualify for the group stage of the 2018 Caf Champions League.
