Smouha hit four in dazzling CAF Cup debut

JOHANNESBURG: Smouha of Egypt made a dazzling CAF Confederation Cup debut Friday by trouncing Ulinzi Stars of Kenya 4-0 in a last-32 first leg.

The result could have been even more embarrassing for the Kenyan army club but for a string of superb saves by James Saruni in Alexandria.

Ahmed Raouf scored an early goal in the 85,000-seat Borg El Arab Stadium and Islam Mohareb doubled the lead before half-time.

With the visitors threatening to reduce the deficit, Smouha grabbed a disputed third goal through Mahmoud Abdel Aziz with Ulinzi claiming Saruni was fouled.

Raouf turned creator for the final goal four minutes from time and Mohareb applied the finishing touch via a volley.

Smouha are coached by Moamen Soliman, who guided Cairo club Zamalek to the CAF Champions League final last season.

Zesco United of Zambia and Mouloudia Alger of Algeria used home advantage to build 2-0 leads in the African equivalent of the Europa League.

Goals from Jackson Mwanza and Kondwani Mtonga brought 2016 Champions League semifinalists Zesco victory in Ndola over Le Messager Ngozi of Burundi.

Democratic Republic of Congo club Renaissance contained Mouloudia for 57 minutes in Algiers, then Sid Ahmed Aouadj scored and Rachid Bouhanna added a second goal.