Juba - El Merriekh SC Bentiu secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Heegan SC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round at Juba National Stadium on Saturday evening.
Tot Meat scored the only goal of the match in the 10th minute, rising to head home from a corner and give the South Sudan champions a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg next week.
The victory was El Merriekh's first in all competitions this season after a difficult start to the campaign.
Jean Claude Loboko's side lost to Al Ghazala SC in the South Sudan Super Cup before drawing with South Sudan Premier League newcomers Munuki SC and Super Star FC in the opening two league matches.
Hussein keeps Heegan within reach
El Merriekh had opportunities to double their advantage, but Heegan goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein produced two excellent one-on-one saves to keep the Somali champions in the tie.
The South Sudan champions continued to threaten after taking the lead but were unable to find a second goal despite creating several promising opportunities.
Heegan also had a late chance to level the match.
Abdulle Abdullahi Abdulle set up Farhan Mohammed Ahmed inside the box, but the forward squandered a clear opportunity after finding himself unmarked in front of goal.
El Merriekh ultimately held on to claim a 1-0 win and will carry the narrow advantage into the return leg next week.
The second leg will determine which side progresses from the preliminary round as both teams continue their CAF Champions League campaign.
