Striker Yakhouba Gnagna Barry handed Horoya AC a 1-0 win over Al-Merrikh on Sunday in Conakry, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
The Stade du 28-Septembre in Conakry had to wait until the 45th minute to celebrate. On Sunday 18 October 2026, Horoya AC got the better of Al-Merrikh SC (1-0) in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, reports Guinée7. The only goal of the game was scored by Yakhouba Gnagna Barry, who struck just before the break, according to Foot224.
The match is part of Horoya’s run in the Champions League. The Guinean club reached this preliminary round after knocking out JS Saoura in September, Guinée7 reports. The Red and Whites of Matam enjoyed clear territorial dominance throughout the first half, and their striker’s goal rewards that control.
A one-sided first half
According to Guinée7, the Guinean club dominated territory throughout the first half without managing to convert its chances earlier. In the end it was right on the stroke of half-time that Yakhouba Gnagna Barry broke the deadlock, in the 45th minute, just before the two teams headed for the dressing rooms.
The goal made good on a superiority that had so far been fruitless. Al-Merrikh, for their part, failed to score at all against the Guinean defence.
Al-Merrikh respond but find no way through
The second half was a different story. According to Guinée7, Al-Merrikh tried to respond by creating several opportunities but could not beat the Guinean defence. The Omdurman club therefore leave Conakry a goal down ahead of the second leg.
Horoya AC thus go into the return match with a one-goal lead, without having conceded at home, Foot224 points out.
Kigali date on 24 October
The second leg is scheduled for 24 October 2026 in Kigali. Al-Merrikh, a club from Omdurman, are forced to play their matches away or on neutral ground because of the security situation in Sudan, reports Sport News Africa.
The Champions League group stage will bring together 16 clubs from late November 2026, CAF Online specifies. To get there, Horoya will still have to clear the Sudanese hurdle in the return leg.