African champions Setif clear first obstacle

04 Apr, 2015

JOHANNESBURG: Algerian club Entente Setif defeated Gambian visitors Real Banjul 2-0 this weekend to comfortably clear the first hurdle in their defence of the CAF Champions League title.

The Black Eagles won the last-32 tie 3-1 on aggregate after coming from behind in Banjul three weeks ago to force a 1-1 first-leg draw.

Midfielder Toufik Zerara gave Setif a mid-first-half lead and defender Farid Mellouli added a second goal three minutes into the second half at Stade 8 Mai.

Setif can expect tougher opposition in the round of 16 where they will tackle Moroccans Raja Casablanca or South Africans Kaizer Chiefs.

Raja won the first leg 1-0 in Durban and are favoured to advance after the return match in Casablanca on Sunday.

Setif are hoping to emulate Nigerians Enyimba, Egyptians Al-Ahly and Congolese TP Mazembe by successfully defending the title.

Fellow Algerians USM Alger also progressed after drawing 1-1 with Senegalese AS Pikine at Stade Demba Diop in Dakar.

The tie was all but over as a contest after the Algiers outfit won 5-1 at home in mid-March despite having a player red-carded midway through the second half.

El Hadji Alioune Sow gave Pikine a first-half lead at home and Hamza Koudri levelled 11 minutes from time.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015

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