Goldstars suffered a painful 0-2 at home
Ghanaian champions Bibiani GoldStars’ CAF Champions League dream hangs by a thread after a 2-0 home defeat to Algerian giants JS Kabylie in the first leg of their preliminary round tie at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
The debutants struggled to break down the experienced visitors, lacking the sharpness and composure needed in the final third. Several half-chances went begging, while Kabylie were clinical when it mattered.
The Algerians opened the scoring courtesy of Mehdi Merghem midway through the first half and doubled their advantage in the second with a well-worked move that ended with the ball being walked into the net.
Even with Bibiani GoldStars’ management waiving gate fees for most stands and charging only VIP, the turnout was disappointingly low. The sparse crowd offered little atmosphere, allowing Kabylie to dictate the tempo without pressure.
GoldStars now face a daunting task in the return leg at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou on Saturday, September 27. They will need to produce something extraordinary to overturn the deficit against a side with far greater pedigree in African club football.
