Sundowns win 2-1 but Sserunkuma scores crucial away goal

Sundowns 2 KCCA 1

Saturday

Vipers vs Platinum Stars (South Africa)

Striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma’s away goal will give KCCA the belief needed to knock out African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

The African champions who went 2-0 up in the first 10 minutes, could only manage a 2-1 first leg win Friday night at the Lucas Moripe stadium in Pretoria.

Triumph at the expense of the defending champions over two legs next week at the Phillip Omondi stadium in Kampala will make the KCCA the first Ugandan side to make it to the lucrative group stages.

KCCA coach Mike Mutebi said: “Scoring an away goal will boost our confidence, but a big battle lies ahead in the return match as Sundowns are a very good side.”

Ivorian Bangaly Soumahoro, one of five starters who helped beat Zamalek of Egypt in the 2016 final, nodded Sundowns into the lead after two minutes.

Brazilian Ricardo Nascimento doubled the lead on six minutes from a penalty awarded when Thapelo Morena was pushed in the back before Sserunkuma struck.

The four most successful clubs in African competitions started the 2017 CAF Champions League this weekend expecting to build first-leg leads at home in last-32 ties.

The last-32 line-up included eight winners of the Champions League, plus title-holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

AF Champions League leading goal scorers

3: Sserunkuma (KCCA/UGA), Allafi (Al Ahly Tripoli/LBA), Guikan (Port Louis/MRI), Said (St George/ETH)

2: Igbinoba, Ovoke (both Rivers Utd/NGR), Abdalla (Al Merrikh/SUD), Boy (Township Rollers/BOT), Daouda (Coton Sport/CMR), Etekiama (V Club/COD), Jeremiah (Kadiogo/BUR), Khamis (Zimamoto/ZAN), Mensah (Mounana/GAB), Sahui (Tanda/CIV), Saltu (Ahly Tripoli)