Sundowns cruise, Pirates crash in CAF Champions League

Sundowns have been runners-up to Egyptian facet Pyramids within the premier African membership competitors final season and as soon as once more rank among the many favorite to pocket the $4 million first prize.

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

Namibian Peter Shalulile, Portuguese Miguel Reisinho and Brazilian Arthur Sales have been among the many 5 scorers for Sundowns, who led 2-0 at half-time.

While no Nigerian membership has received the Champions League since Enyimba in 2004, representatives from probably the most populous nation in Africa are often aggressive at house in continental competitions.

Pirates have been semi-finals losers to Pyramids final season and there have been expectations that they might go far once more.

A 3-0 loss to Saint-Eloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi, nevertheless, means the percentages are in opposition to the Buccaneers even reaching the group stage that follows the second spherical.

Making a uncommon Champions League look, Lupopo have been forward inside three minutes via Wanet Kashala and Burkinabe Dramane Kambou and Jean Benoit Tukumbane scored within the second half.

While the away-goal rule has been scrapped in European membership competitions, it stays in Africa. Were Lupopo to attain as soon as in South Africa on Saturday, Pirates would have to take action 5 instances to outlive.

Another doubtlessly severe contender to construct a 3-0 benefit have been Tanzanian outfit Simba away to Nsingizini Hotspurs from Eswatini.

Kibu Denis netted twice within the closing levels for the Dar es Salaam membership, who have been runners-up within the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup final season.

After 4 failed makes an attempt, Zambian champions Power Dynamos are poised to achieve the group part a primary time, and pocket a minimal $700,000.

They got here from behind to beat Vipers from Uganda 2-1 in Kampala, the place Derrick Ndahiro conceded an personal objective on 77 minutes after Kenyan Moses Shumah had equalised.

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