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Samsunspor picked up a 1-0 away win over North Macedonian side Shkendija in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League last-16 play-off round, taking a narrow but valuable advantage back to Türkiye.
The match stayed scoreless through the first half despite early drama. Samsunspor striker Cherif Ndiaye missed a penalty in the 6th minute, sending his effort over the bar after a foul on Assoumou set up the spot kick.
With neither team able to turn momentum into a breakthrough before the break, the contest moved into the second half still level, with chances continuing at both ends.
Shkendija threatened on 17 minutes when Tampa ran onto a through ball into the right side of the box, but Samsunspor goalkeeper Okan was able to keep the attempt out.
Samsunspor also came close through Carlo Holse, whose shot from the right side of the area went just wide in the 23rd minute, before he missed again late in the first half when he found himself through on goal and lifted his effort over.
After halftime, Shkendija forward Besart Ibraimi worked his way into the box and aimed for the far post in the 51st minute, but his shot drifted wide, keeping the game finely balanced.
The decisive moment arrived in the 77th minute. Holse delivered from the right, and Marius Mouandilmadji finished from close range at the near post to put Samsunspor 1-0 up.
Samsunspor had a chance to stretch the lead late on when Mouandilmadji was played in one-on-one in the 88th minute, but he pushed the shot wide, leaving the tie open heading into the second leg.
The UEFA Europa Conference League is UEFA’s third-tier men’s club competition, sitting below the Champions League and Europa League. This two-legged play-off will decide which team moves into the last 16.
The return match is scheduled for Feb. 26 in Samsun, where the overall winner on aggregate score will progress.
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