ASKO de Kara set early pace in CAF Confederation Cup after emphatic Niger win

ASKO de Kara made the biggest statement on the opening day of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round by beating AS ZAM 5-0 in Niger.

The result gives the Togolese side a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg and was the widest victory recorded among Saturday’s first-leg ties.

Al Ahly Tripoli also produced an impressive away performance, winning 3-0 against KMKM. Kabuscorp secured a 2-0 victory at UNAM, while Red Arrows built a useful lead by defeating Inate Rouge 2-0.

Black Bulls claimed a narrow away win, beating Atomic Ngome 1-0. Shooting Stars recorded the same score against CS Sfaxien, while FC Diarra edged Nations FC by a single goal.

The day’s other completed fixture ended level, with AS Douanes and Hafia FC drawing 2-2. The match between Panthers FC and ASPAC was postponed.

The first-leg results were:

– Atomic Ngome 0-1 Black Bulls – Green Mamba 0-2 Primeiro de Agosto – KMKM 0-3 Al Ahly Tripoli – Red Arrows 2-0 Inate Rouge – Shooting Stars 1-0 CS Sfaxien – UNAM 0-2 Kabuscorp – AS ZAM 0-5 ASKO de Kara – FC Diarra 1-0 Nations FC – AS Douanes 2-2 Hafia FC

ASKO de Kara’s five-goal success was the standout result of the day. Their victory in Niger puts them in a strong position to progress, although the tie will not be decided until the return fixture.

Al Ahly Tripoli were the other team to record a three-goal margin, taking control of their tie with a convincing win away from home. Kabuscorp and Red Arrows also finished their opening matches with two-goal advantages.

The narrow victories produced more finely balanced ties. Black Bulls left Atomic Ngome with a 1-0 lead, while Shooting Stars overcame CS Sfaxien by the same score. FC Diarra likewise secured a one-goal advantage against Nations FC.

Green Mamba were beaten 2-0 by Primeiro de Agosto, another away win from Saturday’s programme. Meanwhile, the 2-2 draw between AS Douanes and Hafia FC left that contest evenly poised before the second leg.

The postponed game involving Panthers FC and ASPAC means those teams will have to wait before beginning their first-round battle.