Dolphin of Nigeria took a giant step toward qualifying for the pool phase of the African Confederation Cup with a 4-1 home victory over Supersport United of South Africa on Sunday.
Kelechi Osunwa struck a hat-trick and Endurance Idahor also scored as the West Africans raced to a four-goal lead, before Obinna Nnodim conceded a last-minute own goal in the south-east city of Port Harcourt.
While Supersport overcame a two-goal deficit against St Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the previous round, it is difficult to imagine the Pretoria club overtaking Dolphin on May 21 in the second leg of the fourth-round tie.
The seven-match programme pitted third-round winners in the Confederation Cup against third-round losers in the African Champions League, with places in the two-group phase of the $8-million competition at stake.
With home advantage, the Champions League ”rejects” were expected to establish winning leads, but Dolphin and 1985 African champions FAR Rabat of Morocco were the only clubs to succeed before their supporters.
Consistent scorer Mohamed Armoumen was once again the FAR hero, scoring two minutes into first-half stoppage time to give the military club a 1-0 victory over Nigerian visitors Enugu Rangers.
USMA of Algeria snatched a last-minute draw against Al-Marsa of Tunisia in Algiers thanks to a goal from international midfielder Hocine Achiou after midfielder Khalid al-Hirech had put Marsa ahead just before half-time with his third goal of the cup.
Stanley Banda gave Red Arrows of Zambia the lead over King Faisal Babes of Ghana midway through the first half in Lusaka, only for Eric Gawu to level five minutes into the second half.
Banda finished off a Brian Lubaba pass to put the air-force club ahead, but later got in the way of a goal-bound shot from teammate Danny Hangunyu. Gawu slotted a tame shot past goalkeeper Fred Mwale to atone for several misses.
”It’s a wonderful result against a team coming from the Champions League. Arrows are a clumsy side, but we will not underestimate them when they play in Ghana,” said Babes coach Francis Oti-Akenteng.
Arrows caretaker coach Fred Nasilele countered: ”Most of our leading strikers missed the game through injury and I expect them to be back for the second leg. All hope is not lost yet.”
Nasilele is the third coach to guide Arrows in Africa this year.
Matthews Phiri was dismissed before a heavy Champions League loss to title-holders Enyimba of Nigeria last month, which cost Brightwell Banda his job.
AS Aviacao of Angola forced a 1-1 draw with surprise packets FC 105 Libreville of Gabon through a stoppage time goal from Kadima Silva, after visiting captain Juste Otomo had given the visitors an 11th-minute lead.
Experienced international campaigners FC 105 are bidding for a double over Angolan opponents after eliminating another Luanda club, InterClube, in the second round with 3-1 home and away victories.
Africa Sports of Côte d’Ivoire and Arab Contractors of Egypt drew 0-0 in an Abidjan clash between former holders of the African Cup Winners Cup, one of two competitions that made way for the Confederation Cup last year.
Egypt are guaranteed one representative in the May 28 pool draw in Cairo as Ismailia received a walkover when Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa withdrew citing domestic fixture congestion. — Sapa-AFP