Ghanaians Medeama stayed on course for a play-offs place in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup with a 2-0 home win over Zambians Zesco United at the weekend. The African debutants took an early lead in the last-16 first leg through Nathaniel Asamoah and Michael Helegbe converted a penalty 12 minutes from time. Asamoah scored with a lob over the onrushing Zambian goalkeeper and Helegbe doubled the lead after Theophilus Anaabah had been felled in the box. It was the fourth success in five outings for Medeama after home and away victories over Equatoguineans Panthers and a home win over Moroccans Moghreb Fes.
Better known Ghanaian clubs Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak contested the first final of the second-tier African club competition 10 years ago. But no side from the West African nation has come close to emulating Hearts and lifting the trophy and banking a 660,000-dollar (480,000 euros) first prize.
Medeama and state electricity company club Zesco play again this weekend and an away goal for the Ghanaians would almost certainly assure overall success. It would also move Carlos Roberto Paulette one round closer to becoming the first Peruvian to coach a CAF title-winning club.
Nigerians Warri Wolves have failed to get past the second round in two previous appearances and they are in trouble again after only drawing 0-0 with Tunisians CA Bizertin. The North Africans reached the semi-finals last season on the back of a strong defence and goalkeeper-cum-captain Ben Mustapha excelled in Warri. His best save came during the second half as he pushed away a powerful header from defender Ike Thankgod for a corner.
However, Wolves captain Goodluck Onamado believes his team can create an upset by winning in Bizerte, the most northern African city. “We are not out yet — we will go to Tunisia and beat them,” he told SuperSport.com. “We will watch the tape of this game and plot our strategy for the return leg.”
Algerians CS Constantine edged 1998 African champions Ivorians ASEC Mimosas 1-0 through a late penalty goal from Abdelhakim Sameur. The spot-kick was conceded by goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare, who fouled Abdelmadjid Benatia, and then reacted slowly to a powerful penalty.
A goal drought continued for Egyptians Ismaily as they were held 0-0 by visiting Angolan petroleum company club Petro Atletico. The Egyptians fought two goalless draws with Democratic Republic of Congo club MK Etancheite in the last round before winning a penalty shootout. Brazil-born Ismaily coach Ricardo Heron has battled owing to injured strikers with only one, Ghanaian John Antwi, available to face the Angolans. Tunisians Etoile Sahel defeated South Africans SuperSport Untied 1-0 and Rwandans AS Kigali won by the same score against Moroccans DH El-Jadida. Zimbabweans How Mine snatched a 2-1 victory over Nigerians Bayelsa United and Egyptians Wadi Degla triumphed 2-0 against Malians Djoliba.
Results
Etoile Sahel (Tun) 1-0 SuperSport Utd (Rsa)
AS Kigali (Rwa) 1-0 Difaâ El Jadida (Mar)
How Mine (Zim) 2-1 Bayelsa Utd (Ngr)
Wadi Degla (Egy) 2-0 Djoliba (Mli)
Sunday 23 March
Medeama (Gha) 2-0 Zesco Utd (Zam)
CS Constantine (Alg) 1-0 ASEC Mimosas (Civ)
Ismaïly (Egy) 0-0 Petro Atletico (Ang)
Warri Wolves (Ngr) 0-0 CA Bizertin (Tun)
Courtesy of AFP
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate