by osamahlawy Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:43 pm
Zimbabwean duo in bright start
Zimbabwean duo, CAPS United and Lengthens FC opened their Orange CAF Confederation Cup campaigns with home wins in their first leg preliminary matches during the weekend.
CAPS United beat Mbabane Highlanders of Swaziland 1-0 in Harare on Saturday, whilst debutants Lengthens posted a 2-1 win over AS Adema of Madagascar 24-hours later in the Zimbabwean capital.
Method Mwanjali was the hero for CAPS United as his 88th minute strike earned them the narrow victory at the expense of the Islanders.
Lengthens also recovered from first minute opener by visiting AS Adema through Rajaonera Sitraka, to score twice through Artwell Nyamiwa and Admire Dzukamanja, and cruise to victory in their first game on the continental stage.
There were also home win for Nigerien outfit, AS FAN, who beat Ivorian side Issia Wazi 2-0 in Niamey. Midfielder Insa Issoufou broke the deadlock after 10 minutes before Moctar Chaibou sealed victory with a superb strike on the hour mark.
At the June 11 Stadium in Tripoli, Ahmed Krewa’a earned a draw for Al Tersana by converting a spot kick in the fifth minute of added-on time after Youcef Saifi had put former Algerian Champions CR Belouizdad in the lead on 41 minutes.
Chadian representatives AS Coton were held to a barren draw by Ahly Tripoli of Libya in N’Djamena.
South African “Birds”, Moroka Swallows held Pamplemousse of Mauritius to a one all draw in Port Louis. Ex-Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete gave the ‘Birds’ a first half lead after 15 minutes before Garvel Azie equalized for the Mauritian Cup winners three minutes past the hour mark.
Rwandan giants Atraco managed a 2-0 win over El-Amal of Sudan whilst Costa do Sol of Mozambique cruised past Botswana debutants by a similar scoreline.
Andre Lomani and Japin were on target for Atraco, whilst Josimar ‘tiago’ Machaisse and Ruby Pamara won the day for Costa do Sol in Maputo.
Cote d’Ivoire’s second representative Sewe San Pedro restored the Francophone country’s image after beating Burkina Faso side US Armed Forces 2-1 in Abidjan. The hosts went up after 27 minutes through Marc Mahan and Tiezan Kone authenticated the lead on 57 minutes before Aziz Djeibeogo gave some glimmer of hope to the Burkinabe Armed Forces team his 61st minute effort.
At Bata, the second biggest city in Equatorial Guinea, Dragons were stunned 2-3 by visiting AC Leopards of Congo. The Congolese took the lead on 15 minutes through Dedy Ndiaye before Din equalized for the host team two minutes later.
Three minutes on, Michel Depison restored Leopards’ lead and Eric Mbemba increased the tally on 25 minutes before Bolingo reduced the deficit five minutes from half time with a clinical finish.
In Nairobi, AFC Leopards gave their fans something to cheer about with a 3-1 victory over Ethiopia’s Banks. Martin Imbalambala scored twice and Ekene Umekwe sealed victory before Adi Hiritsa gave his side a crucial away goal two minutes from time.
The second leg matches are scheduled for February 26 to February 28.
Results
Caps United (Zimbabwe) 1-0 Mbabane Highlanders (Swaziland)
Pamplemousses (Mauritius) 1-1 Moroka Swallows (South Africa)
Athletico Olympic (Burundi) vs. Warri Wolves (Nigeria)
El Tersana (Libya) 1-1 C.R. Belouizdad (Algeria)
Atraco (Rwanda) 2-0 El Amal (Sudan)
Costa do Sol (Mozambique) 2-0 Uniao Flamingo Santos (Botswana)
Miembeni (Zanzibar) 2-2 Petrojet (Egypt)
Sewe San Pedro (Cote d’Ivoire) 2-1 US Forces Armees (Burkina Faso)
Benfica (Guinea-Bissau) vs. Baraka de Conakry (Guinea)
Jaraaf (Senegal) 2-1 FUS (Morocco)
Central Parade FC (Sierra Leone) vs. C.O. Bamako (Mali)
El Dragon (Equatorial Guinea) 2-3 AC Leopards (Congo)
AFC Leopards (Kenya) 3-1 Banks (Ethiopia)
Lengthens FC (Zimbabwe) 2-1 AS Adema (Madagascar)
AS FAN (Niger) 2-0 Issia Wazi (Cote D’ivoire)
AS Coton (Chad) 0-0 Ahly Tripoli (Libya)
Motema Pembe (DR Congo) 3-0 Anges Fatima (Central African Republic)