ASKO de Kara made the strongest statement on the opening day of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round by beating AS ZAM 5-0 in Niger on Saturday.
The emphatic result gives the Togolese side a substantial advantage ahead of the return leg and was the biggest victory recorded across the day’s first-leg fixtures.
Al Ahly Tripoli also claimed a convincing away win, defeating KMKM 3-0. Kabuscorp secured a similarly useful advantage on the road, winning 2-0 at UNAM.
Red Arrows emerged with a two-goal lead after a 2-0 victory over Inate Rouge, while Black Bulls edged Atomic Ngome 1-0 away from home.
Shooting Stars also earned a narrow advantage, beating CS Sfaxien 1-0. FC Diarra recorded the same scoreline against Nations FC, leaving both sides with work to do in the second meeting.
The day’s only draw came in the match between AS Douanes and Hafia FC, who played out a 2-2 draw. That result leaves the tie evenly poised after an entertaining first encounter.
The fixture between Panthers FC and ASPAC was postponed and did not take place as scheduled.
Primeiro de Agosto also made a positive start, winning 2-0 at Green Mamba. The result added to a series of strong away performances during the opening round, with Al Ahly Tripoli and Kabuscorp among the other teams to claim victories outside their own grounds.
Saturday’s results were:
- Atomic Ngome 0-1 Black Bulls - Green Mamba 0-2 Primeiro de Agosto - KMKM 0-3 Al Ahly Tripoli - Red Arrows 2-0 Inate Rouge - Shooting Stars 1-0 CS Sfaxien - UNAM 0-2 Kabuscorp - AS ZAM 0-5 ASKO de Kara - FC Diarra 1-0 Nations FC - AS Douanes 2-2 Hafia FC
ASKO de Kara’s five-goal margin was the clearest outcome of the round, placing them in a commanding position before the return fixture. Al Ahly Tripoli, Kabuscorp, Red Arrows and Primeiro de Agosto also hold two-goal leads, while Black Bulls, Shooting Stars and FC Diarra will take one-goal advantages into the next matches.
AS Douanes and Hafia FC remain level after their four-goal contest, while Panthers FC and ASPAC will have to wait for their postponed encounter before their preliminary-round tie begins.