OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 1.30pm.
THE annual African club championships kicked off this weekend in the shadow of the Nations Cup with several surprises in preliminary-round matches.
Tusker of Kenya needed a late goal from George Maina to draw 1-1 in Nairobi with Red Sea of Eritrea, who moved ahead 16 minutes into the first leg through Abreha Fassil.
The Kenyans, runners-up to DC Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1994 Cup Winners Cup, entered the three-million-dollar competition when league winners Mumias Sugar were barred for bribery.
SC Villa of Uganda, another big name from the past, could manage only a 2-2 draw at home to Saint George of Ethiopia in an East African derby that thrilled a 10000 crowd.
Sentayhu Getachu gave the Saints an early lead and goals either side of half-time from Ugandan international Andrew Mukasa put Villa ahead before Sayffe Webeshet levelled.
Villa were runners-up to Club Africain of Tunisia in the 1991 Champions League (formerly Cup) and came second to Shooting Stars of Nigeira one year later in the first African Football Confederation (CAF) Cup.
Notwane of Botswana were another team who failed to maximise home advantage and it took a late goal from Shamati Mbaakanyi to force a 1-1 draw with Black Africa of Namibia after George Dlamini scored midway through the first half.
Namibia were less successful in the Cup Winners Cup as Chief Santos failed to build on a dream start and crumbled 3-1 to Angolan visitors Esperanca Sagrada in the northern town of Tsumeb.
Gerros Uri-Khob struck after three minutes for the local club, Nzazi Kavuico equalised four minutes later and a couple of late goals from John Sifua left Esperanca comfortably placed.
Chadian outfit ASCOT edged JS Tenere of Niger 2-1 in N’Djamena with Blessed snatching a late first-half winner after he had opened the scoring and Abdoul Garba levelled.
Return matches in both competitions are scheduled for the weekend of February 11-13. — AFP