Sundowns cruise, Pirates crash in CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns scored five goals in Nigeria and Orlando Pirates conceded three in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in a mixed day for South Africa in CAF Champions League qualifying.

Sundowns were runners-up to Egyptian side Pyramids in the premier African club competition last season and once again rank among the favourite to pocket the $4 million first prize.

But despite being among the Champions League title contenders for many seasons, not even their most partisan supporters foresaw a 5-1 second round, first leg victory over Remo Stars in Abeokuta.

Namibian Peter Shalulile, Portuguese Miguel Reisinho and Brazilian Arthur Sales were among the five scorers for Sundowns, who led 2-0 at half-time.

While no Nigerian club has won the Champions League since Enyimba in 2004, representatives from the most populous country in Africa are usually competitive at home in continental competitions.

Pirates were semi-finals losers to Pyramids last season and there were expectations that they would go far again.

A 3-0 loss to Saint-Eloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi, however, means the odds are against the Buccaneers even reaching the group stage that follows the second round.

Making a rare Champions League appearance, Lupopo were ahead inside three minutes through Wanet Kashala and Burkinabe Dramane Kambou and Jean Benoit Tukumbane scored in the second half.

While the away-goal rule has been scrapped in European club competitions, it remains in Africa. Were Lupopo to score once in South Africa on Saturday, Pirates would have to do so five times to survive.

Another potentially serious contender to build a 3-0 advantage were Tanzanian outfit Simba away to Nsingizini Hotspurs from Eswatini.

Kibu Denis netted twice in the closing stages for the Dar es Salaam club, who were runners-up in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup last season.

After four failed attempts, Zambian champions Power Dynamos are poised to reach the group phase a first time, and pocket a minimum $700,000.

They came from behind to beat Vipers from Uganda 2-1 in Kampala, where Derrick Ndahiro conceded an own goal on 77 minutes after Kenyan Moses Shumah had equalised.

Wydad edge Kotoko, Nairobi shock Etoile in CAF Cup

Wydad Casablanca beat Asante Kotoko in a showdown between former African giants and Nairobi United upset Etoile Sahel in CAF Confederation Cup second round qualifiers on Sunday.

Joseph Bakasu from the Democratic Republic of Congo was the first leg match-winner on 47 minutes as Moroccan outfit Wydad won 1-0 away to Ghanaian opponents Asante Kotoko in Accra.

Kotoko were reduced to 10 men just three minutes after falling behind when Guinea-born goalkeeper Mohamed Camara was sent off.

Wydad have won five CAF titles, including the Champions League three times. Kotoko reached the final of the same competition seven times, winning twice.

African debutants Nairobi won 2-0 in the Kenyan capital against two-time Confederation Cup winners Etoile from Tunisia through goals from Ovella Ochieng and John Otieno.

It was an unexpected outcome as Nairobi were a second division club last season, who qualified for Africa by shocking leading Kenyan club Gor Mahia in the FA Cup final.

Tanzanian teams have been constantly improving in continental competitions and Singida Black Stars are favoured to reach the group stage after drawing 1-1 with Burundians Flambeau Centre in Bujumbura.

Zambian Clatous Chama put Singida ahead on 60 minutes and Edison Munaba equalised just two minutes later. The return match is on Saturday.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.