The CAF Confederation Cup delivered high drama on Friday as the second-leg fixtures of the first round unfolded across the continent, producing a mix of comebacks, emphatic victories and decisive qualifications.
In Madagascar, Ferroviario Maputo sealed their place in the next round after a hard-fought 2-1 win over AS Fanalamanga.
With the first leg ending 1-1, the Mozambican side held their nerve to progress on aggregate, ending the hopes of the Malagasy club in front of its home crowd.
Royal Leopards of Eswatini produced one of the standout performances of the evening, routing Namibia’s Young Africans FC 5-0.
The dominant display added to their 2-0 first-leg advantage, sending them through with an overwhelming aggregate score.
The Namibians had no response to the relentless attacking play of the Leopards, who are shaping up to be one of the competition’s early dark horses.
On the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, KMKM edged past AS Port of Djibouti 2-1 in a tense contest.
Having won the first leg by the same scoreline, KMKM confirmed their passage to the next round thanks to a solid defensive effort and clinical finishing when it mattered most.
Elsewhere, Bhantal FC of Sierra Leone overturned a daunting task in Guinea.
Despite losing 3-0 in the first leg to Hafia FC, Bhantal battled to a 3-2 away victory but ultimately fell short on aggregate.
The Guinean side held on by the narrowest of margins, their first-leg dominance proving just enough to advance despite a nervy return match.
Libya’s Al Ittihad impressed at home with a 3-1 triumph over Wolitta Dicha SC of Ethiopia.
After a goalless draw in the first leg, the Libyan side found their scoring touch at the right moment, ensuring qualification with a controlled and composed display.
Rounding off the evening’s fixtures, Benin’s Coton FC crushed Liberia’s Black Man Warrior 4-1 to progress after a 0-0 stalemate in the opening leg.
The Beninese outfit overwhelmed their opponents in the second half, sealing their spot in the next stage in convincing style.
The results highlight the unpredictability of Africa’s second-tier club competition, with several teams delivering performances that have already set the tone for an intense and unpredictable tournament ahead.
