17 May 2015 09:53
Moroccan side, Raja Athletic Club, CS Sfaxien of Tunisia and Mali’s Stade Malien took giant steps towards the mini-league stage of the 2015 Orange CAF Confederation Cup following victories in the first leg matches of the 1/8th round playoff on Saturday.
The fact is that each side won by an identical scoreline, 2-0, sending their guests packing out empty.
Three-time African champions, Raja had first half goals from Abdelkabir El Ouadi and Nigeria-import Christian Osaguona enough to secure victory over Tunisian side, Etoile du Sahel at the Mohamed V Complex in Casablanca.
El Ouadi scored the opener on 23 minutes before Osaguona doubled the lead just before the break. The visitors were unlucky in their search for a consolation with forward Youssef Mouihibi failing to convert a penalty on 74 minutes.
Elsewhere, Sfaxien, the most successful club in the history of the second-tier continental club championship with three titles, eased their way past Ivorian giants, ASEC Mimosas in Sfax. Captain Ali Maaloul and Yassine Khenissi were on target in each half as the homers cruised to victory.
In Bamako, Stade Malien proved too strong for AS Vita of DR Congo with a first leg cushioning. Moctar Mohamed Cisse broke the deadlock after five minutes before Ismael Kone signed off the win with a strike on 68 minutes.
South African side, Orlando Pirates recorded an unlikely victory away from home, beating AS Kaloum of Guinea 2-0 in Bamako on Friday. Thamsanqa Gabuza and Oupa Manyisa were on target in either half to give the Buccaneers a huge boost towards a place at the group stage.
The second leg matches will take place on the weekend of 5-7 June 2015.
Fixtures
Friday, 15 May 2015
AS Kaloum (Guinea) 0-2 Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Stade Malien (Mali) 2-0 AS Vita (DR Congo)
CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) 2-0 ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire)
Raja Athletic Club (Morocco) 2-0 Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Ahly (Egypt) vs Club Africain (Tunisia)
Sanga Balende (DR Congo) vs Zamalek (Egypt)
Esperance (Tunisia) vs Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
AC Leopards (Congo) vs Warri Wolves (Nigeria)
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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