21 March 2011
TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Simba of Tanzania 3-1 Sunday as they embarked on a journey that could lead to a record third consecutive African Champions League title.
The 2010 FIFA Club World Cup runners-up led 2-0 at half-time in southern Congolese mining city Lubumbashi and increased their advantage before Simba snatched a goal that offers them a little hope ahead of the return game.
Mazembe stars have looked weary lately in the colours of the club and the national team as non-stop action over several years takes its toll and this performance will bring welcome relief to Senegal-born coach Lamine Ndiaye.
Conceding a goal at home was not part of the script but Mazembe possess enough proven scorers to find the net in Dar es Salaam early next month and eliminate the away-goal advantage held by the East Africans.
The faithful supporters of the ‘Crows’ did not have to wait long before starting their singing, dancing and drum-beating as Patou Kabangu broke the deadlock just 12 minutes into the first half.
Cameroonian Narcisse Ekanga added a second midway through the opening half and leading scorer Dioko Kaluyituka gave the four-time African champions a three-goal advantage with 64 minutes gone.
However, thousands of Simba supporters who had travelled by bus and car to Lubumbashi finally got something to cheer when Ugandan Emmanuel Okwi pulled one goal back 14 minutes from full-time.
The big North African showdown in Rades on the outskirts of Tunis delivered a goal feast with Club Africain of Tunisia defeating five-time champions Zamalek of Egypt 4-2 in a clash that lived up to pre-match expectations.
Zamalek continually had to play catch-up as they cancelled an early goal and scored again 11 minutes from the end after 1991 African title holders Club had established a two-goal cushion.
Bilel al-Ifa restored that margin with his strike on 86 minutes and set up an intriguing return game in Cairo with the Egyptian ‘White Knights’ needing at least a two-goal victory to survive.
Dynamos of Zimbabwe thrilled a capacity 35,000 crowd crammed into Rufaro Stadium in Harare by thumping 1976 champions Mouloudia Alger of Algeria 4-1 with a couple of goals in each half.
Guthrie Zhokinyi converted an early penalty, Patrick Mutuma struck in stoppage time and Denver Mukamba and Farai Vimisai also netted before Reda Babouche planted a late penalty in the net to offer his side a glimmer of hope.
Copyright 2011 AFP
