Ethiopian Coffee fell 2-1 to URA FC of Uganda in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg in Kampala.
Steven Mukwala’s brace was enough to earn the tax collectors a hard-fought win over the coffee makers, who grabbed a consolation goal through William Tesfay.
But with an important away goal, the Bunna have an advantage ahead of next Saturday’s reverse fixture in Bahir Dar.
It was Bunna who started the match brightly and the first real chance of the game fell for Solomon Tafesse, but his deflected shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper Nafein Nalionzi.
URA were finding it difficult to contain the visitors’ quick front three of Mikyas Mekonnen, Abubeker Nasser, Endale Debalke, who were playing with confidence.
However, it was URA who broke the deadlock with Mukwala scored first for the hosts in the 23rd minute as they stunned the visitors against the run of play.
URA took control of the game after that and were rewarded for their efforts when Mukwala scored the second in the 37th minute courtesy of Mukwala.
This served as a wake-up call for Bunna and they began surging forward in numbers, but URA were able to hold on to their slender lead until match referee blew the half-time whistle.
Endale Debalke had a chance for Bunna on the 49th minute after a through ball by Abebe Tilahun just outside the box but he curled his strike over the bar.
Bunna upped their ante in their probe for an equalizer and created chances upfront which saw Tesfay net in the 55th minute.
Ethiopian Coffee remained on the back-foot moments later after Patrick Mbowa flashed a golden opportunity from the right beyond target following a through ball by Sekajugo.
Hudu Muliki then played a defence-splitting passing for Mbowa, who somehow fired wide of the target from a one-on-one situation with Abel Mamo.
Coffeee bombarded the visitors’ box with crosses searching for strikers Alaz Shimeles and Endale Debalke in the latter stages of the match as they looked to snatch a late equalizing goal.
