Sekhukhune United registered a 3-1 victory over DR Congo’s St Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Confederations Cup Second preliminary round first leg at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
This was United’s debut in Africa’s inter-continental club competition after finishing second in the Nedbank Cup last season.
It was the home side who drew blood first in the 11th minute when Siphesihle Mkhize found Chibuike Ohizu and he buried the chance after en evenly balanced start to the game. But they did not enjoy the lead for too long as Mokonzi Katubwe fired home three minutes later to level matters.
Ba Bina Noko had more chances to regain the lead. In the 21st minute captain on the day Sibusiso Vilakazi was brought down just outside the box and earned the home team a set-piece. Jamie Webber stepped up but the ball bounced finding Ohizu who scored however the goal was ruled offside.
Five minutes from the break the Limpopo based outfit won another free-kick which, Webber slotted home with ease to give United a 2-1 lead going into the break.
The second half didn’t see much action from both sides but ten minutes later the homes side won a corner which Tresor Tshibwabwa headed home to extend the lead to 3-1.
Katubwe almost got one back in the 79th minute with a powerful shot but Renaldo Leaner was up to the task and it was the first in the match he was called to make a save.
The result means Brandon Truter’s charges take a two goal advantage to Lubumbashi in the second leg in two weeks.
