Ghanaian champions FC Samartex 1996 were held to a 2-2 draw by Raja Club Athletic in the first leg of the second round of qualification for the group stages of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.
The Timber boys kicked off the encounter against their tough North African opponents on the front foot at the Accra Sports Stadium, as they had an early ruled out for offside in the fifth minute.
Azradi Mohammed cleverly evaded the Ghanaian side’s defense for a glancing header from a corner kick to give the Moroccan team the lead in the 20th minute.
However, coach Nurudeen Amadu’s boys remained brave and eventually scored their equalizer through Francis Gyentuah’s overhead kick in the 37th minute.
Samartex were adventurous after the equalizer and soon completed their turnaround through a controversial goal from Michael Ephson, who impressed throughout the match.
The striker pounced on a rebound from a long-range shot by Afful to score the defending Ghana Premier League champions’ second goal, giving them a halftime lead.
Mohammed Boulacsout leveled the score in the 62nd minute of the second half as he took advantage of a poor defensive shape by Samartex.
Raja will travel back to Casablanca happy with the result, as they welcome Samartex for the second leg on Saturday, September 21.
