DAR ES SALAAM/ KAMPALA – Egypt’s Pyramids FC and Al-Masry both had goalless draws against Tanzanian Azam and Uganda Revenue respectively in the first-leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.
Elsewhere, Algeria’s duo JS Kabylie and JS Saoura achieved precious away victories in Morocco and Mauritania respectively, as former champions RS Berkane of Morocco and Nigeria’s Enyimba also recorded wins away from home.
Azam 0-0 Pyramids
2020 finalists and last season semi-finallists Pyramids started their campaign, holding Tanzanian hosts Azam to a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam.
The Egyptians had their chance to grab an away win, but without finding the back of the net, while Azam tried to test Pyramids goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy in a couple of occasions but in vain.
Uganda Revenue 0-0 Al-Masry
In Kampala, Egyptian side Al-Masry of Port Said held their hosts Uganda Revenue Authoruty to a goalless draw, hoping to find their way to the next round when they host the return leg in Alexandria next week.
Al-Masry will blame themselves for not returning home with a win, as they wasted the game’s best chance. Amr Moussa shot from the spot rebounded from the post, as the Egyptians should have taken the lead after 18 minutes.
Orapa United 2-1 Coton Sport
In Gaborone, Botswana’s Orapa United stunned last season semifinalists Coton Sport of Cameroon to beat them 2-1.
Orapa, who will just complete their tenth birthday next year, took the lead through Mabatshi Elias at the half hour mark and went to the break leading 1-0. Two minutes after the break, Souaibou Marou equalized for Coton Sport, as the visitors looked on their way to a valuable away draw.
Ben Guerdane 0-1 RS Berkane
2020 champions RS Berkane of Morocco returned from Tunisia with a precious away 1-0 victory over Ben Guerdane to pave their way to the next round.
Youssef El Fahli scored as early as the ninth minute in Monastir, as Berkane held to their advantage till the final whistle.
ASAC 1-2 JS Saoura
In Nouakchott, Algeria’s JS Saoura scored twice in the final five minutes to deny their Mauritanian hosts ASAC Concorde from what could have been a famous home victory.
Idrissa Thiam gave Concorde the lead from the spot after 9 minutes, and the hosts looked on their way to record victory as they held on to the lead till the 85th minute.
But Mohamed Daoud equalized for JS Saoura five minutes from time, and few seconds before the final whistle, Aimen Lahmri made it to 2-1 for the visitors who came from behind to record an away win.
