FC Platinum Fall At Home To AS Jaraaf As Orlando Pirates Floor Jwaneng Galaxy

AS Jaraaf winger Albert Diene scored a priceless second half goal as the Senegalese outfit beat FC Platinum 1-0 in Sunday’s African Confederation Cup play-off first leg tie at Zimbabwe National Stadium.

Meanwhile, South African giants Orlando Pirates secured a commanding 3-0 first-leg win over Jwaneng Galaxy at Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone.

Thulani Hlatshwayo scored the opener on the in the 32nd minute with a powerful header from Hotto’s corner.

Lina Mtambo added the second in the last seven minutes before second-half substitute Jean-Marc Mundele quickly made it 3-0 for the Buccaneers three minutes before time.

In Harare, Platinum enjoyed a strong start to the game and nearly claimed the lead in the sixth minute, with Ngoma’s shot from just outside the 18-yard area flashing narrowly wide of the target and leaving goalkeeper Ndiaye stranded on his line.

A short while later a defensive error handed Nomore Cjinyerere a chance but he put his effort over the crossbar,  before Ndiaye was called on to make a fine save in another shot from midfielder, as the home side looked to capitalise on their early pressure.

Further Platinum Boys chances arrived for the likes of Donald Ngoma, Silas and Brian, but a combination of poor finishing and some decent goalkeeping from AS Jaraaf keeper Ndiaye, kept the score at 0-0 up to the half-time whistle.

The hosts picked up in the second half where they had left off in the first, and 10 minutes after the restart they should have claimed the lead when a fine passing move ended with Bello having a clear sight of goal, but he fired his effort high and wide.

Jaraaf’ goalkeeper Ndiaye continued to be a major obstacle for Celtic to get past, as he made two saves in quick succession to keep Pavari at bay a few minutes before the hour mark – much as he did against Madzgongwe earlier in the game.

Jaraaf rarely troubled Platinum’s defence, but they could have gone ahead very much against the run of play in the 65th minute, with Sissokho missing from a free header after he had been well picked out from a set piece.

The visitors broke the deadlock on the 71^st minute after Platinum defence was left was exposed with Albert Diene tapping in a decent pass past Mhari.

Donald Ngoma found himself in with an empty net but failed to tap in a rebound from Jaraaf custodian after being denied by the crossbar.

Summary of African Confederation Cup round of 32 first leg matches: