Namungo lost 1-0 to Raja Casablanca in a CAF Confederation Cup Group D opener played at Mohammed V Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Tanzanian side played the majority of the second stanza with 10-men following the dismissal of experienced defender Haruna Shamte.
Raja put Namungo on the back foot right from the first whistle which saw Jonathan Nahimana become a very busy man between the sticks for the visitors.
The towering goalkeeper produced a fine diving save to deny El Wardi, whose free-kick was heading into the top corner after Benson Malango was fouled on the edge of the box.
Nahimana pulled off another excellent save from Soufinae Rahimi’s curling effort and the Green Eagles striker also hit the crossbar after connecting with Abdelilah Hafidi’s a pint-point cross.
However, Namungo looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Raja keeper Anas Zinti had to block Eric Kwizera’s headed effort, before finger-tipping Sey’s attempt over the crossbar.
Raja then finished the first-half strongly as Malango’s powerful shot was pushed over the crossbar by Nahimana and Madkourhit the crossbar for the second time with another header.
The score was 0-0 at the interval following a first-half which saw both teams create chances which they could not convert.
The Green Eagles continued from where they left off in first-half as Nahimana finger-tipped Omar Arjoune’s header over the crossbar and he also blocked El Wardi’s low shot at the near post.
Ten minutes later, Mwakasungule got in on the overlap and fired away from an acute angle from the right-hand side with his effort being saved by the legs of Zniti.
Soufiane Rahimi struck home from a penalty in the 54th minute after Haruna Shmate handled the ball inside the area for a straight red-card.
Hemed Seleiman needed firepower upfront with 20 minutes remaining as he brought on striker Hamis Manyanya for Kwizera while five minutes later Sellami introduced Zakaria Habti for Benhalib
Manyanya almost made an instant impact minutes after coming on as he brought Raja goalkeeper Zniti to action on two occassions but the shot-stopper was on top of his game as he denied Namungothe equaliser.
In the end, Sellami ‘s troops were able to hold on for a three-point haul to open the African Confederation Cup group-phase with a win.
