CAF Confederation Cup: Tanzanian clubs thrive, Kaizer Chiefs and Etoile du Sahel fall to first leg defeats

Lesser known clubs battled while a few had their opportunity to take on top African clubs on Saturday as the CAF Confederation Cup continued on with the first qualifying round. Big spending Tanzanian clubs Azam FC and Singida Black Stars (highlights below) took a step forward towards the next round while surprise results arrived for Kaizer Chiefs and Etoile du Sahel.

The momentum remains high for recently crowned CECAFA Kagame Cup winners Singida Black Stars, who navigated a tricky first round test away from home with a 1-0 victory over Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in Kigali. Togolese playmaker Marouf Tchakei, usually the set piece expert, was on the receiving end with a powerful header from Clatous Chama’s free kick service for the only goal of the match in the 23rd minute.

In the early slate of matches, another Tanzanian club took a step towards the final round of qualifying with Azam FC heading up to South Sudan to defeat El Merreikh Bentiu 2-0. Azam were well in control in Juba with new signing Jephte Kitambala, star for DR Congo at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), scoring as well as club legend Feisal Salum.

In an all-East Africa clash, newly promoted Kenyan top flight side Nairobi United did well to earn a 2-2 result in Uganda against NEC FC. The club, surprise winners of Kenya’s FKF Cup while playing in the second tier of Kenyan football, are in a strong position heading back to Nairobi for the second leg.

North African clubs receive wake up call in CAF Confederation Cup first legs

In another surprise result, Burundi’s Flambeau du Centre came back from a goal down to defeat Al Akhdar of Libya 2-1 at home. Another North African club struggled away from home as Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel fell 0-1 to Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani, who hosted the first leg in Tanzania due to the conflict back home.

Kaizer Chiefs give themselves work to do in the second leg

South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs returned to the continental stage with an underwhelming result. AmaKhosi fell to fellow Angola Cup winners Kabuscorp with a 0-1 defeat, leaving a tricky task ahead for Chiefs who continue to leave their supporters in suspense despite a bright start to league play this season.

Stade Tunisien, Guinea’s Hafia FC, FC Libreville of Gabon and Eswatini’s Royal Leopards all also emerged as winners from Saturday’s slate of first leg clashes.

On Friday, Ivory Coast’s FC San Pedro earned an important result away from home in Cameroon where they defeated hosts Aigle Royal 1-0. Moroccan Throne Cup winners Olympique Safi edged ASN Nigelec of Niger while Burkina Faso’s USFA won by the same score against Gbohloe-Su of Togo. Wolayta Dicha did well to hold Libya’s Al Ittihad to a scoreless draw in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

Asante Kotoko of Ghana and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto are among the teams in action as first leg matches wrap up on Sunday from the first round.

CAF Confederation Cup First Round, First Leg Results

Saturday

El Merreikh Bentiu (SSD) 0-2 Azam FC (TZA)

Flambeau du Centre (BDI) 2-1 Al Akhdar (LBY)

Al Ahly Wad Madani (SUD) 1-0 Etoile du Sahel (TUN)

Young African (NAM) 0-2 Royal Leopards (ESW)

FC Libreville (GAB) 2-0 ZESCO United (ZAM)

Kabuscorp (ANG) 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)

Bhantal (SLE) 0-3 Hafia (GUI)

NEC FC (UGA) 2-2 Nairobi United (KEN)

Rayon Sports (RWA) 0-1 Singida Black Stars (TZA)

Stade Tunisien (TUN) 2-0 ASC SNIM (MRT)

Friday

Wolayta Dicha (ETH) 0-0 Al Ittihad (LBY)

Aigle Royal (CMR) 0-1 FC San Pedro (CIV)

ASN Nigelec (NER) 0-1 Olympique Safi (MAR)

USFA (BFA) 1-0 Gbohloe-Su (TOG)