By Beng Emmanuel Kum
Aigle Royal of the Menoua marked their return to the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in 16 years with a narrow 1-0 defeat to San Pedro of Cote d’Ivoire in the first leg of the opening preliminary round of the 2025/2026 season.
Abi Kassi Theodore Niambe combined with his teammate to ease past Aigle’s defence before scoring on 57 minutes at the Ahmadou Ahidjou stadium in Yaounde.
It was a well-deserved lead for San Pedro who dominated large spells of the game. The visitors had the chance to double the lead but failed to hit the target.
San Pedro had a goal ruled out for offside and Kassi missed the chance to hit a brace when he skied his effort from the penalty spot late on.
Rayann Junior Capo had also headed a well-taken corner kick wide after the restart before the Ivorian club found the breakthrough.
Aigle struggled to get hold of the game and fashion out clear openings for much of the contest.
The best chance came in the first half from Eden Creol Ymele but his effort was comfortably saved by the keeper while Mistro Keugoue Yamdjeu failed to head home from the edge of the box at the stroke of halftime.
Former PWD striker Blaise Ndiforchu missed a golden opportunity to net the opener second into the second half after failing to time his run to perfection as a fine cross flew past him leaving him.
Keugoue Yamdjeu almost levelled scores but San Pedro goalkeeper Ngah Essomba produced a superb save to prevent his curled free-kick to nestle into the net.
The defeat means Aigle Royal will need to mount a strong comeback and overturn the deficit in the return leg next week to advance to the next round.
The winner of the game will face either Black Man Warrior of Liberia or Coton Sport of Benin in the second preliminary round.
Aigle Royal were returning to the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time since their debut in 2009.
🟡⚫ Aigle Royal de la Menoua s'incline (1-0) face au FC San Pedro, à l'occasion du match aller du premier tour des qualifications de la Coupe CAF.
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) September 19, 2025
L'oiseau de la Menoua doit remonter son retard au match retour prévu en Côte d'Ivoire dans quelques jours. 🇨🇲
📸 Sir Romy pic.twitter.com/UhO8ICpqRn
During their maiden appearance at the inter-club competition they edged another Ivorian club, Union Sportive of Ouagadougou 3-2 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
The Cameroonian club was however knocked out in the second round by Bayelsa United FC of Nigeria after losing 5-1 on aggregate.
Aigle Royal have also featured in the CAF Champions League in 2006.