Sekhukhune ease past Lupopo, Berkane hold Bendel
South Africa's Sekhukhune United cruised to a 3-1 home win over DR Congo's FC Lupopo in the CAF Confederation Cup second qualifying round first leg on Saturday.
Nigerian striker Chibuike Ohizu opened the scoring for the hosts after just 12 minutes at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, calmly slotting past the Lupopo keeper in a one-on-one.
The Congolese team responded quickly as teenager Mokonzi Katumbwe equalised three minutes later. But Sekhukhune retook the lead on the stroke of halftime through Jamie Webber's composed finish.
Fellow Congolese player Trésor Tshibwabwa then sealed the win for the South Africans with a well-taken third goal after the break.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Bendel Insurance were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Moroccan club RS Berkane.
It was a back and forth encounter with both teams trading blows. Imade Osarenkhoe put the hosts ahead on 28 minutes but Oussama Lamlioui pegged them back with an equaliser just before the break.
Paul Obata thought he had scored a late winner for Bendel Insurance but a stooping header from Mohamed El Morabit deep into added time earned Berkane a potentially crucial away goal.
The second legs will take place on 29 September with Sekhukhune and Berkane defending advantages.
In Saturday's other game, Botswana's Gaborone United and South Africa's Supersport United played out a 1-1 draw.
The winners of the second qualifying round ties will advance to the play-off round as the Confederation Cup group stage inches closer.
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