Sewe shocked and Chiefs, Sundowns struggle

JOHANNESBURG: San Pedro of Ivory Coast suffered a shock home defeat in the CAF Champions League this weekend while South African challengers Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns struggled.

Sewe, a rising African club force who were unlucky losers to Egyptians Al-Ahly in the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup final, slumped 2-1 at home against Guineans Kaloum in a preliminary round, first leg clash.

PChiefs needed a stoppage-time goal to pip Botswana visitors Township Rollers 2-1 while Sundowns clawed their way back to salvage a 1-1 draw at Saint Michel United of the Seychelles.

Cheick Oumar Ballo gave Kaloum a first-half lead at Stade Robert Champroux, where Sewe have been consistent winners in the past two years.

Jean Christian Pathinvo levelled midway through the second half only for Kaloum to regain the lead soon after via Mandala Konte, and the woodwork deprived the Guineans of a third goal.

Sewe have been weakened recently by the loss of goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo and midfielders Koff Kouame and Roger Assale to Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe.

Barred from playing at home because of the Ebola epidemic, Kaloum will host the return match in the Mali capital Bamako.

Centre-back Tefu Mashamaite, a surprise omission from the South Africa 2015 Cup of Nations squad, nodded a dramatic winner for Chiefs from a corner.

Zimbabwean Matthew Rusike put the Soweto club ahead on six minutes but the anticipated goal fest never materialised and Segolame Boy equalised just after the break.

Expensively-assembled Sundowns were equally unimpressive and fell behind during the second half in Victoria before Zimbabwean Khama Billiat levelled seven minutes from time.

Nigerians Kano Pillars triumphed 2-0 at South Sudanese Al-Malakia through second-half goals from Gambo Muhammed and Christian Obiozor.

Kenyans Gor Mahia needed several brave saves from Boniface Oluoch to secure a 1-0 victory over CNaPS Sport of Madagascar in Nairobi.

Ali Abondo won the match for Gor, the only Kenyan club to lift a CAF club trophy, by converting a second-minute penalty.

Ugandans KCCA were another east African club to establish a 1-0 lead with a Herman Wasswa volley six minutes from time defeating Cameroonians Cosmos Bafia.

Yasin Mugabi pulled off several spectacular first-half saves to thwart Cosmos, who had Patrick Nai sent off on 60 minutes after a second yellow card. - AFP