Defending Ghana Premier League Champions Bibiani Gold Stars struggled on their CAF Champions League debut, losing 2-0 to Algerian side JS Kabylie at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Miners were hoping for a strong start in the first leg of the preliminary round, but they fell short, with the Algerian team proving their experience in competition.
Algeria dominated the first half of the match and even took the lead in the eighth minute, but Aymen Mahious’ strike was deemed offside.
The pressure was incessant on the home side, and the Algerian side deservedly got the opener in the 21st minute after Medhi Merghem struck home from close range.
Bibiani Gold Stars did make some impressive plays by keeping the ball so well, but they struggled in the final third of the pitch.
The Miners, despite being a goal down at halftime, came back strong in the second half as they chased for the equaliser.
But it was the Algerian side who doubled their lead in the 70th minute through Babacar Sarr, who couldn’t miss from close range after a brilliant team move.
It was a demoralising goal conceded by the Gold Stars, who couldn’t stage any kind of comeback or even pull back one goal at the end of the game.
The Miners face a stern task to overturn the results in the second-leg encounter in Algiers next week.