After Wydad Casablanca’s memorable triumph last year, spirits were high this weekend as the continent’s elite teams kicked off the preliminary rounds of Total CAF champion’s League.
Favorites Wydad Casablanca, Al Ahly Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns, Etoile du Sahel, and TP Mazembe are in hopes of being favorites this year while some new comers like Nigeria’s MFM, were hoping to use this chance to announce their presence on the continental scene.
Starting with Nigeria, the national league’s defending champions Plateau started with a 3-0 win over Cameroonian visitors Eding Sport while competition debutants, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries got a hard earned away 1-1 draw in Bamako.
Only Akwa United started off with a 2-1 home loss to Gambian side Banjul Hawks which makes the reverse fixture for the Akpabio side a must win encounter.
In Zimbabwe, their sole representatives African Safari FC Platinum, was hammered 3-0 by Angola’s defending Champions Clube Desportivo de Agosto. The miners will have to be at their absolute best if they are to over turn the fixture at the Mandava Stadium in a fortnight.
In Ghana, the League defending champions Aduna Stars lost 1-0 to Libyan side Al Tahaddy in a close game.
In Morocco, Jadida beat Guinea-Bissau’s Benfica 10-0 to set a new record for the biggest win in a Champions League single leg. Moroccan, Hamid Ahaddad scored five goals in the encounter while Tanzanian international Simon Msuva added a hat trick in the encounter.
Other fixtures.
10th Feb 2018
CNaps Sport vs KCCA. 2-1
Gor Mahia vs Leones Vegetarianos. 2-0
JKU FC vs ZESCO. 0-0
Young Africans vs Louis Suns United . 1-0
Zanaco vs Armed Forces FC. 3-0
Rayon Sports vs LLB Academic. 1-1
Township Rollers vs Al Merrikh 3-0
Leopards de Dolisie vs Togo port 2-1
AS FAN vs Horoya 1-3
Bidvest Wits vs Pamlemousses 2-0
Concord vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis 1-1
RC Kadiogo vs Mounana 1-0
Generation Foot vs Misr Elmaquash 2-0
Stade Malien Bamako vs Williansville Athletic Club 1-1
Difaa Hassani El Jadidi vs Benfica Bissau 10-0
11th Feb 2018.
Ngaya Club vs UD Songo 1-1
AS Vita vs Be Forward Wanderers 4-0
Bantu vs Mbabane Swallows 2-4
Otoho d’Oyo vs MC Alger 2-0
Al Tahaddi vs Aduana Stars 1-0
Buffles de Borgou vs ASEC Mimosas 1-1
Plateau vs Eding Sport 3-0
Primeiro de Agosto vs Platinum FC 3-0
LISCR vs Al Hilal Omdurman 1-0
Real Bamako vs Mountain of Fire and Miracles 1-1
ES Setif vs Olympic Real. 6-0
