Colombe Sportive of the Dja and Lobo compromised their chances of qualifying for their maiden CAF Champions League group stage following a 1-1 stalemate with MC Alger in Yaounde.
The Cameroon champions were on course for a vital win in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the inter-club competition after Congolese midfielder Inno Loemba opened the scoring on 14 minutes.
But Algeria’s 29-year-old international defender Ayoub Ghezala levelled four minutes to stoppage time.
It was a disappointing result for Colombe Sportive who were hoping to take control of the tie. The host side started brightest and went close to finding the breakthrough but Eyango Priso’s low drive hit the side net 12 minutes into the game.
Despite the setback, Colombe continued to push and probe and was rewarded when Loemba tapped in a cross from close range.
Despite leading, Colombe faded in form as MC Alger grew into the game.The visitors threatened mid-way into the first half but after failing to manage an effort on target, they created two chances but failed to convert.
The North Africans almost levelled but Sofiane Bayazid’s lob hit the woodwork and was cleared by Cedric Djomo.
The Algerian side had another golden opportunity to draw the game level but failed to hit the target from a one-on-one at the stroke of halftime.
MC Alger were better after the break and showed more assurance. They laid siege in Colombe’s half for a lengthy spell but could not break down a resolute home defence.
They struggled to fashion clear openings and were repaid four minutes to stoppage time when Ayoub Ghezala beat Colombe’s keeper with a late header from Reda Halaimia’s free-kick.
🟣 La Colombe du Sud a été tenue en échec (1-1) par le MC Alger, à l'occasion de la manche aller du second tour des qualifications pour la Champions League CAF.
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) October 19, 2025
Inno Loemba avait ouvert le score pour l'oiseau du Sud qui doit aller arracher sa qualification dans une semaine en… pic.twitter.com/3BwJnFLtVM
Colombe almost regained the lead when substitute Adama Musa snatched the ball from an MC Alger defender and fired a long-range strike before the ball hit the woodwork.
The attempt followed that of Eyango, who eased through the defence but saw his left-footed strike come off the post.
Defender Hamidou Hamza also headed straight into the side netting from a free-kick from the edge of the visitor’s box.
The draw means that Colombe Sportive will have to produce a stellar performance in Algeria next week to secure a spot in the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
🟣 Richard Towa content de son groupe et confiant avant le match retour face au MC Alger 🇨🇲 :
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) October 19, 2025
« Si le ballon d'Eyango qui prend le poteau rentre, le ballon de Musah qui prend la transversale, on aurait un autre but. Non, moi je vais vous qu'on a une belle équipe […] Mais je… pic.twitter.com/8Q1EZy2D5d
No Cameroonian club has qualified for the group stages of the CAF Champions League since Coton Sport in 2023.
Colombe edges closer but work to be done
Colombe Sportive were close to their first home win in the CAF Champions League.
The Elite One title holders are making their debut in the competition and recorded their first win in the competition during the first preliminary round.
After a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Yaounde, Colombe edged ASC Jaraaf of Senegal 1-0 in the return fixture in Thies, Senegal, on Sunday September 28.
Adam Musah made history by scoring the club’s first goal in the CAF inter-club competition.
Inno Loemba became the second goal scorer in Colombe Sportive CAF Champions League history
(Phocredit: @evrageraud)
Colombe has a mountain to climb in the reverse fixture. MC Alger are now on a 15-match unbeaten run.
Despite conceding yesterday, they remain one of clubs on the continent with the fewest league defeats in 2025 according to Africa Soccer Zone.
They have won their last three home matches, scoring seven times and conceding just twice. The last time they lost a home match was on November 11, 2024 in a Ligue 1 game against Belouizdad.
But the Algerian club will be without its fans in the return leg. This follows a decision from the Confederation of African Football, CAF. This means that their match with Colombe will be played behind closed doors.