Leopards honour injured star with vital win

Attacker Bhebey-Ndey is recovering in a Cairo military hospital after life-saving surgery following a fall when Leopards lost at Zamalek two weekends ago.

And the result from Stade Denis Sassou Nguesso in Dolisie will have cheered the 25-year-old experienced African competitor as he recovers from spinal and head injuries.

Victory for Leopards thanks to a Tresor Moukenga goal offered the Congolese hope that they can snatch a top-two finish and reach the semi-finals for a second successive season.

Zamalek and Orlando Pirates of South Africa have nine points each, Leopards four and three-time Confederation Cup title-holders CS Sfaxien are out of the running with just one.

To qualify, Leopards must defeat Pirates in Soweto on August 22 and Sfaxien in Dolisie in mid-September and hope Zamalek beat the South Africans on matchday 6 in Egypt.

Defeats for Zamalek away to Sfaxien and at home to Pirates would also open the door for the Leopards.

The combative Congolese have been consistently impressive African campaigners since winning the second-tier Confederation Cup three years ago.

Recently crowned Egyptian champions Zamalek suffered their first group loss after three victories when Moukenga beat goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal on 61 minutes with a low shot that went in off the post.

Pirates completed a double over fallen giants Sfaxien by winning 2-0 at Orlando Stadium in a game they largely dominated.

Winger Thabo Rakhele, the man of the moment in South African football, scored an exquisite opening goal on 37 minutes and Menzi Masuku added a second not long after half-time.

Tunisians Esperance were leading Malians Stade Malien 1-0 in Bamako through a goal from Nigerian Samuel Eduok when torrential rain halted the Group A game after 50 minutes.

The remaining 40 minutes are scheduled to be played Monday.