Mazembe win; United draw, Stars lose
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| Xabi Alonso - Bayern's 'Zen master' |
Democratic Republic of Congo
club TP Mazembe recaptured on Sunday the form that made them African
giants to beat JS Kabylie of Algeria 2-0 in the Caf Confederation Cup.
The first leg victory margin in Lubumbashi in a
play-off should suffice to take the title-holders into the group phase
of the African equivalent of the Europa League.
In keeping with the multinational flavour of the
team, both Mazembe goals came from foreigners on an artificial pitch at
Stade Mazembe.
Zambian Nathan Sinkala put the home team ahead
after 11 minutes and Malian Salif Coulibaly doubled the lead in the
final minute of regular time.
The match was the major attraction of 15 Confederation Cup first legs played this weekend.
Mazembe are the second most
successful club in Caf
competitions with 10 titles and Kabylie boast the fifth best record
after six triumphs.
But the Congolese battled in Africa this year ahead
of the Kabylie fixture, losing the one-off Caf Super Cup match against
Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.
They then fell at their first hurdle in the
Champions League, losing to modest CAPS United of Zimbabwe on away goals
after two draws.
That meant relegation for the second successive season to the Confederation Cup, which offers less prize money and prestige.
Record three-time Confederation Cup winners CS
Sfaxien of Tunisia look set for the 16-club mini-league stage after a
2-1 win over Rail Kadiogo in Burkina Faso.
Houssem Habessi was the match-winner in a fixture
staged behind closed doors after Kadiogo fans flung bottles and invaded
the pitch in a Caf game last month.
Club Africain completed a profitable day for
Tunisian clubs by defeating AS Port Louis 2-1 in Mauritius through
goals from Slimene Kchok and Mannoubi Haddad.
Zesco United of Zambia came from two goals behind
to force a 2-2 draw at Enugu Rangers of Nigeria with Patrick Kongolo
levelling 14 minutes from time.
Chibuzor Madu converted a first-half penalty for
Rangers and Osas Okoro stretched the lead for the "Flying Antelopes"
just after halftime.
Kenyan David Owino scored his second goal in the
competition this year to halve the deficit for Zesco, who were surprise
2016 Champions League semifinalists.
South African clubs had mixed results in the west of the continent.
SuperSport United drew 1-1 with Barrack Young Controllers in Liberia
while Platinum Stars were beaten 2-0 by AS Tanda in the Ivory Coast.
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