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CAF: 'Downs fall, Chiefs stroll in first-leg

Cape Town - Absa Premiership clubs participated in the first-leg of both the CAF Confederation Cup as well as the CAF Champions League this past weekend.

Bidvest Wits made light work of Lightstars in their CAF Confederation Cup opener, defeating them 3-0 at Stade d’Amitié on Saturday.

Wits were quick out of the blocks against their Seychelles opponents, with Dillon Sheppard putting them ahead as early as the seventh minute.

That lead was doubled in the 25th minute, when Sibusiso Vilakazi scored to put the Clever Boys two goals to the good at half-time.

The South African side struck again on the hour mark, with defender Markus Lecki banging in their third of day from a corner.

Wits now have a big advantage in the qualifying preliminary round, and will just need to avoid any slip ups in the return leg at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday, February 27.

Mamelodi Sundowns fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Chicken Inn in the first-leg of their CAF Champions League qualifier in Zimbabwe on Saturday.

The Gamecocks, who won the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League last season, were not intimidated by Sundowns despite the South African outfit boasting a strong starting lineup, which included the likes of Keagan Dolly, Themba Zwane and Teko Modise.

From the kick-off it was clear the match would be an evenly contested encounter as Chicken Inn refused to let the visitors take a strangle hold on the game.

The first real chance of the match fell to Obadiah Tarumbwa in the 17th minute, but he disappointingly mishit his shot well over the crossbar.

The home side made their pressure pay in the 36th minute when Mischeck Katsvairo hit an unstoppable shot past Wayne Sanilands in the Sundowns goal to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead.

Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane bolstered his attacking options by bringing Cuthbert Malajila on at half-time in search of a crucial equaliser.

However, Chicken Inn looked comfortable dealing with the Brazilians' forays forward as 'Downs enjoyed the majority of the possession in the second-half without being able to create any meaningful chances.

The result means Sundowns have to win the return tie in Pretoria in a fortnight and will have to win it by two or more goals if they allow Chicken Inn to score an away goal.

Ajax Cape Town are in pole position to qualify for the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup following a 2-1 win over Sagrada Esperanca in the first-leg of their preliminary round tie on Saturday.

Ajax took the lead in the 14th minute when Ruzaigh Gamildien scored what could prove to be a vital away goal.

The lead didn't last too long, however, as Antonio Oliveira had Sagrada back on level terms just four minutes later with a sweetly struck spot-kick.

Ajax were back in front with 30 minutes remaining, though, Riyaad Norodien adding another away goal to put the Urban Warriors in the driving seat for the tie.

The Cape Town side will now look to defend the lead when the host Sagrada Esperanca later this month.

Kaizer Chiefs strolled to a comfortable 4-0 victory away to Volcan de Moroni in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round encounter on Sunday.

Amakhosi came out the blocks guns blazing as striker Bernard Parker gave the South African champions the lead early on with a shot from just outside the 18-yard area.

Erick Mathoho then doubled the visitors' advantage when he headed in free-kick from Parker just before half-time to give Chiefs a comfortable cushion at the break.

Mathoho went on to add his second and his team's third just after the interval, while Sula Matavu rounded off the scoring late on.

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