Champions League: Yanga Survive Scare As Al-Hilal, Zamalek Strike Away

JOHANNESBURG – Young Africans survived a major scare on Saturday, fighting back late to salvage a 1-1 draw against Gaborone United in the first leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie at the National Stadium.

The Tanzanian champions, under the guidance of South African coach Manqoba Mngqithi, were given an early warning of the challenge ahead as Gaborone United seized the initiative and threatened to derail Yanga’s continental campaign.

Sean Connor’s side made the stronger start and were rewarded midway through the first half when Amseb Ambrosius found the breakthrough.

Yanga struggled to find their rhythm as Gaborone United defended their advantage with growing confidence, leaving Mngqithi with plenty to ponder on the touchline.

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But the Tanzanian giants refused to go quietly.

They pushed forward in the closing stages and eventually found the crucial equaliser, rescuing a draw that could prove significant when the two sides meet again in the return leg.

For Mngqithi, the result represents a mixed start to his latest continental challenge. Yanga’s ambitions extend beyond merely surviving the preliminary rounds, with the club determined to improve on last season’s group-stage exit and re-establish themselves among Africa’s leading clubs.

Al-Hilal make their statement

Sudanese giants Al-Hilal Omdurman delivered one of Saturday’s strongest performances, defeating Burundi’s Aigle Noir 2-0 away from home.

The visitors showed their continental pedigree, striking once in each half to establish a commanding advantage before the return leg in Omdurman next weekend.

Yasser Awad broke the deadlock before Ahmed Salem doubled Al-Hilal’s lead after the interval.

The two-goal cushion puts Josef Zinnbauer’s men firmly in control of the tie and leaves Aigle Noir with a mountain to climb in the return fixture.

Al-Merreikh leave Dynamos with work to do

Power Dynamos’ hopes of making an early statement suffered a setback after they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Al-Merreikh in Omdurman.

The Zambian side arrived determined to build on their experience from last season, when they reached the competition for the second consecutive campaign but failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Dynamos started positively and looked capable of frustrating the Sudanese heavyweights.

But Al-Merreikh gradually imposed themselves on the contest and struck midway through the first half.

Guinean winger Aboubacar Bangoura supplied the decisive moment, scoring the only goal of the encounter to hand the Sudanese side a narrow first-leg advantage.

Power Dynamos now face a simple equation in the return leg: score, win and turn the tie around.

Zamalek show their pedigree

Five-time African champions Zamalek began their campaign on a winning note, beating AS du Port 2-1 away from home on Friday.

The Egyptian giants wasted little time asserting themselves, with Shehata opening the scoring after just five minutes.

Chico Banza then doubled Zamalek’s advantage, putting the White Knights in firm control and leaving the home side facing a difficult uphill battle.

AS du Port refused to surrender and pulled one back late through Mabhi Hussein.

But the comeback stopped there.

Zamalek held on to claim a valuable away victory and take a 2-1 advantage into the second leg.

With the opening preliminary-round fixtures producing narrow margins, late drama and important away results, the battle for progression in Africa’s premier club competition is already beginning to take shape.