The first round of group stage matches in the CAF Champions League produced some surprise results, with 2014 winners ES Setif going down on home soil, while newcomers Smouah claimed a thrilling victory.
Group A’s first match saw four-time African champions TP Mazembe of the DR Congo held to a surprise goalless draw at home by Sudan’s Al Hilal.
The Ravens were heavily favoured to open their group stage with a victory, but the visiting Sudanese actually created the better scoring opportunities, forcing veteran Mazembe goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba to put in a fine performance in order to help his side earn a draw.
The other Group A match saw Egyptian club Smouah, who are participating at this stage of the continental tournament for the first time, claim a 3-2 win at home to Morocco’s Moghreb Tetouan.
The Egyptians found themselves 2-0 down early on, but scored three times in the space of 13 second-half minutes to claim all three points. Ivorian Hermann Kouao netted the equaliser and winner for Smouah within a couple of minutes late in the game.
Group B saw Sudan’s El Merreikh claim a 2-0 home win over Algerian club MC El Eulma, with Adel Namane scoring an own goal and Bakri Al Madina finding the back of the net, while the all-Algerian clash between Setif and USM Alger saw the latter claim a 2-1 away win.
Second half goals from striker Mohamed Seguer and midfielder Nacereddine Khoualed took USMA to victory, with Lyes Kourbia’s late strike proving nothing more than a consolation for the reigning champions.
The second round of group stage matches will be played over the weekend of 10-12 July.
CAF Champions League weekend results:
Group A
TP Mazembe 0-0 Al Hilal
Smouha 3-2 Moghreb Tetouan
Group B
El Merreikh 2-0 MC El Eulma
ES Setif 1-2 USM Alger
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário