CAF Confederation Cup lesser lights get chance to shine

Armed Forces of the Gambia and Mukura Victory of Rwanda drew away while AS Nyuki of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Silver Strikers of Malawi trail by one-goal margins.

A more experienced club, Defence of Ethiopia, hope to end a run of three consecutive preliminary-round exits by overcoming a two-goal deficit when they host Enugu Rangers of Nigeria. 

AFP Sport puts the spotlight on the five second legs involving the clubs as they seek places in the final qualifying round this month. 

Armed Forces

Gambia is a country not accustomed to celebrating CAF club victories and Armed Forces were outsiders going into a tie against San Pedro from the Ivory Coast.

But the first leg in Abidjan did not go according to script with Franck Zouzou snatching a late equaliser for the hosts after Samsideen Badjie had put the Gambians ahead.

Scoring an away goal means Armed Forces can advance to the round of 32 provided they do not concede in front of their supporters.

Defence

Defence went down 2-0 away to Enugu with the skill and calmness of Godwin Aguda from the penalty spot proving decisive.

Aguda converted a couple of second-half spot-kicks in Nigeria to give Rangers a comfortable but certainly not insurmountable advantage.

Ethiopians have been flocking to stadiums this year for national team and club fixtures without having much to cheer. Defence hope to reverse that trend.

Mukura

Ordinarily, South African clubs would be expected to succeed against opponents from Rwanda in a CAF competition.

However, after forcing a 0-0 draw against Free State Stars in Johannesburg, the odds favour Mukura Victory when they host the return encounter in southern city Butare.

Belgian coach Luc Eymael recently quit Stars, robbing the African debutants of the valuable experience he garnered while working in various countries in the continent. 

Losing only 1-0 away to Al Ahly Shendy of Sudan offers Congolese lower-league outfit Nyuki a chance to achieve overall victory.

This is the eighth consecutive appearance in the second-tier competition by the Sudanese and they have progressed to the group phase just once.

DR Congo clubs have performed superbly in the Confederation Cup recently with TP Mazembe winning the 2016 and 2017 finals and V Club reaching the 2018 title decider.

Strikers

Silver Strikers owe their place in Africa to first choices Kamuzu Barracks declining an offer to compete, presumably because they lacked the necessary funds.

Now, the Lilongwe-based club known as the "bankers" have a chance to become the first side from Malawi to win a Confederation Cup tie.

They trail Cercle Mberi Sportif of Gabon 1-0 after the first leg in Libreville with an early Joann Nono goal separating the clubs.