By Durosimi Thomas

Etoile Sahel's Emeka Opara broke the deadlock in Casablanca

Etoile Sportive Sahel defeated Moroccan side Raja Casablanca 1-0 in the first leg of their African Champions League semi-final in Casablanca.

Nigerian striker Emeka Opara scored the vital away goal for the Tunisian side, who are now well-placed to reach their second successive Champions League final.

Opara sprung the offside trap in the 59th minute and beat the goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net.

Raja's defenders hesitated to mark Opara, with arms raised expecting the flag to go up for offside.

The defeat is Raja's first at home in this year's Champions League.

Etoile, however, played much of the game in defence especially in the later stages as Raja struggled in their search for an elusive equaliser.

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Three successive corners in the dying moments of the game failed to yield anything on a bumpy playing surface at the Mohamed V Stadium.

Despite all the pressure, Austin Ejide, Etoile's Nigerian goalkeeper, was forced to make just one serious save, and that did not come until the 63rd minute.

Ejide was tested when he punched Nabib Masloub's free-kick over the crossbar.

Aside from their goal, Etoile's closest opportunity was Lotfi Sellemi's powerful header on the stroke of half-time.

Etoile host the second leg in Sousse in three weeks with their hopes resting on their slender but precious lone goal advantage.