African club football: RS Berkane take control as AS FAR Rabat hold firm

RS Berkane claimed a valuable 2-0 away win over Star Sport Academy in the second preliminary round of the African Champions League, while AS FAR Rabat secured a goalless draw at CO Korhogo in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The first legs of the second preliminary rounds in Africa’s two inter-club competitions continued across the continent on Saturday, with several ties still finely balanced ahead of the return matches.

RS Berkane’s victory in Sierra Leone was built around a first-half brace from Oussama Lamlioui. He opened the scoring after 14 minutes before adding his second on the stroke of half-time.

The result gives the Moroccan side a strong advantage as it pursues a place in the Champions League group stage. Star Sport Academy must now overturn the two-goal deficit when the teams meet again in Morocco.

FC San-Pedro also secured a narrow first-leg victory, beating Nouadhibou 2-1 in a dramatic finish in San-Pedro.

Abi Kassi put the Ivorian side ahead after 11 minutes, but the Mauritanian visitors drew level in the 39th minute. FC San-Pedro eventually found a winner through Mouhamadou Karamoko in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

The Ivorian club will take its one-goal lead to Nouakchott for the second leg in a week.

TP Mazembe were held to a 1-1 draw by Club Africain at Stade TP Mazembe in another Champions League tie.

Kazema Baso gave the hosts the lead after 38 minutes, but Club Africain’s advantage lasted only a minute before Alain Kante equalised.

The two sides will meet again in eight days, with TP Mazembe facing a difficult trip to Tunisia as they attempt to secure progress.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, AS FAR Rabat left Cote d’Ivoire with a useful 0-0 draw against CO Korhogo. The Moroccan team will now have home advantage in the return fixture and will know that victory would take them through to the next stage.

Another Ivorian side, AF Amadou Diallo, were also forced to settle for a draw in front of their home supporters. Josna Loulendo put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute, but AFAD rescued a point when Guy Romain Kuyo scored in the 80th minute at the municipal stadium in Abidjan.

The result leaves that tie evenly poised ahead of the second leg.