Namungo’s hopes of making to CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals were given a reality check after losing 1-0 at home to Zambian side Nkana FC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday afternoon.
The match was delayed for one hour after Tanzania authorities held Nkana’s Covid-19 test results with Zambian Embassy officials saving the situation and the match finally got underway at 14h00 GMT.
Both sides were restricted to long range efforts in the opening exchanges, with Stephen Sey’s free-kick in the ninth minute going the closest.
Mischeck Chaila came close to giving Nkana the lead in the 15th minute but his glancing header was tipped away by Talbert Shumba.
Jonathan Nahimana came to the home sides rescue after 28 minutes, as he kept out Duke Abuya’s effort from outside the area.
Namungo fashioned their first clear-cut opening two minutes later when Lucas Kikoti’s corner found Sixtus Sabilo, who headed over the crossbar.
Nkana’s Emmanuel Mwiinde came into this clash in some good form, but he squandered a chance to break the deadlock just before the break when he fired wide-right of the post.
Both sides struggled to create openings in the opening stages of the second half, as the small crowd at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium had to wait until the final 30 minutes for some goal-mouth action.
Obedy Masumbuko had the opportunity to hand Nkana after 59 minutes, as he forced Nahimana into a save, before firing wide of the mark a minute later.
The Red Devils continued to push for a goal and they were rewarded on 69 minute thanks to a strike from Diamond Chikwekwe.
Namungo pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the game, however they could not bypass a water-tight Nkana defence.
Nkana are currently third on Group D standings with three points and their only hope on making it to the quarterfinals is by beating winning their last three games and hope Pyramids or Raja Casablanca lose footing.
