by osamahlawy Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:20 pm
Motema Pembe, Jaraaf in tricky away tests
Two of the biggest names in the second tier continental club championship, DC Motema pembe of DR Congo and ASC Jaraaf of Senegal will be involved in tricky away duels in this weekend’s second leg matches of the prelims.
The duo, ranked amongst the established clubs in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup are away to clubs, who are yet to make a mark on the continental stage.
Motema Pembe will trek Bangui as guests of Anges Fatima of the Central African Republic whilst Jaraaf will move up north to face Moroccan side FUS. Motema Pembe, 12-time DR Congo champions have a 3-0 advantage from the first leg whilst Jaraaf managed a slim 2-1 win in Dakar, and both teams will be seeking for a convincing result to pursue their continental ambitions.
In Gaborone, former Mozambican champions Costa do Sol will face Bostwana Cup winners Uniao Flamingo with the Southern Africans targeting to cause one of the major upsets in the prelims of the second tier competition.
Fellow debutants, El Amal of Sudan will face Kigali giants Atraco in Khartoum, whilst Egyptian debutants Petrojet look set to cut short the continental aspirations of Zanzibar flag bearers Miembeni in Suez after managing a two all draw from the first leg.
Swazi representatives, Mbabane Highlanders will seek to overturn a lone goal loss when they host Caps United of Zimbabwe, with Moroka Swallows of South Africa engaging Pamplemousses in the other clash involving clubs from the COSAFA region.
AS Adema of Madagascar are sure of overcoming a 1-2 loss from Zimbabwean debutants Lenghtens FC to book a place at the next round.
“The fact that we play the return game in Mahamasina already gives us the much needed home advantage and confidence. The team has continued training hard especially in the area of finishing to ensure the players get the necessary tools to score the much needed goals,” said Head Coach Franck Rajaonarisamba.
In the same vein, former Kenyan champions AFC Leopards are in no mood of allowing a 3-1 win from the leg go in vain as they face Ethiopia’s Bank FC in Addis Ababa.
Head Coach Chris Makokha remains upbeat about his team’s chances judging from their preparation towards the game.
“If you look at our team very well you will notice that I have very young men who have something to prove. Everybody in that team is knocking at the door for selection. They want to show their worth and that will work in our favour.
“We are happy with the results and hope to continue from where we've left as we travel to Ethiopia for the return match,” Makokha added.
In Mohamed Belouizdad, one of the districts in the Algerian capital, six-time Algerian champions C.R. Belouizdad will lock horns with El Tersana of Libya in all North African affair.
Ivorian side Sewe San Pedro has a dicey away test against US Forces Armees in Ouagadougou whilst compatriot Issia Wazi host Niger Armed Forces football club, AS FAN in Abidjan.
Libya’s other representative, Ahly Tripoli will host Chadian side AS Coton in Tripoli, C.O Bamako of Mali versus Central Parade of Sierra Leone whilst Baraka de Conakry of Guinea square off neighbours Benfica of Guinea Bissau in Conakry.
The winners will advance to the first round of the second tier continental club championship.
Fixtures
Mbabane Highlanders (Swaziland) vs. Caps United (Zimbabwe) (0-1)
Moroka Swallows (South Africa) vs. Pamplemousses (Mauritius) (1-1)
Warri Wolves (Nigeria) vs. Athletico Olympic (Burundi) (1-1)
C.R. Belouizdad (Algeria) vs. El Tersana (Libya) (1-1)
El Amal (Sudan) vs. Atraco (Rwanda) (0-2)
Uniao Flamingo Santos (Botswana) vs. Costa do Sol (Mozambique) (0-2)
Petrojet (Egypt) vs. Miembeni (Zanzibar) (2-2)
US Forces Armees (Burkina Faso) vs. Sewe San Pedro (Cote d’Ivoire) (1-2)
Baraka de Conakry (Guinea) vs. Benfica (Guinea-Bissau) (0-0)
FUS (Morocco) vs. Jaraaf (Senegal) (1-2)
C.O. Bamako (Mali) vs. Central Parade FC (Sierra Leone) (0-0)
AC Leopards (Congo) vs. El Dragon (Equatorial Guinea) (3-2)
Banks (Ethiopia) vs. AFC Leopards (Kenya) (1-3)
AS Adema (Madagascar) vs. Lengthens FC (Zimbabwe) (1-2)
Issia Wazi (Cote D’ivoire) vs. AS FAN (Niger) (0-2)
Ahly Tripoli (Libya) vs. AS Coton (Chad) 0-0
Anges Fatima (Central African Republic) vs. Motema Pembe (DR Congo) (0-3)