Ouagadougou: The Armed Forces Sports Union (USFA) claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over AS Gbohloe-Sur of Togo on Friday evening at the August 4 stadium in Ouagadougou. This win in the first leg of the preliminary round of the African Football Confederation Cup saw both teams locked in a scoreless draw at halftime.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the breakthrough came in the 78th minute when US Armed Forces striker Ismael Nabalbeda scored the decisive goal, beating AS Gbohloe-Sur’s goalkeeper Fadle Irenee Tondoro Cisse with a powerful shot. The match saw both teams exerting dominance at different stages but was marked by missed scoring opportunities due to a lack of composure and technical precision.

Rainfall during the first half affected ball control and caused players to slip, complicating the play. Despite the challenging conditions, USFA mounted pressure in the second half, eventually finding success through Nabalbeda’s goal. Coach Amadou Sampo expressed gratitude to supporters and acknowledged th
e difficulties posed by the weather, stating that his team will focus on securing qualification in the return match in Lome.

USFA’s captain, Patrick Malo, expressed mixed feelings, noting the desire to have scored more goals but celebrating the historic win at the Stade du 4 aout. Coach Sampo, filled with enthusiasm, vowed to replicate the victory in the upcoming match in Lome.

However, the victory came at a cost. USFA’s striker Abdoul Karim Baguian suffered an ankle fracture following a collision with the Gbohloe-Sur goalkeeper. He was substituted by Habib Diarra after receiving immediate medical attention.

Looking ahead, the assistant coach of the Togolese team, Domedjoe Kouakou, remains optimistic about their prospects in the return leg, emphasizing tactical and mental adjustments as key to overturning the deficit. The stage is set for a compelling encounter as both teams prepare for the second leg next week.