By Daily Sports on April 9, 2018

Nigerian club Akwa United went down to a 2-0 defeat against Sudanese club Al Hilal in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup play-off tie in Omdurman on Sunday.

Geovani put the home team ahead in the 20th minute after he was set up by Sadiq Shalash.

Akwa United struggled to cope with the pace of the game and went further behind five minutes later with Hussein Jeraf nodding home after he was left unmarked inside the box.

The Uyo club settled down later into the game but were unable reduce the deficit.

They will now hope to overturn the deficit in the reverse fixture on April 18 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The overall winner of the contest will proceed to the group stages of the competition.

Meanwhile, Lagos-based MFM FC will face an uphill task overturning the 0-1 defeat they suffered in the hands of visiting Djoliba FC of Mali in the elimination match of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Agege Township Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Olukoya Boys tasted the first home defeat this season and also became the first to lose at home to the visitors.

Until today, Djoliba FC had never beaten a Nigerian team at home according to records.  They lost to Bendel Insurance in 1974, 1-2. In 1981 they drew 0-0 with Stationary Stores. They lost to Shooting Stars 0-1 in 1995.

In 2002, they met Warri Wolves and lost 1-2.  In 2012, they played Sunshine Stars of Akure and lost by 0-1.

MFM paid for their lacklustre as they bowed to the more determined Djoliba FC after they fielded what could be described as the second team in a continental championship.

MFM had started the game on a wrong footing as they were dominated by Djoliba FC in the first half.

Things took a new twist during the second half as Mohammed Cisse broke the deadlock with a stunning header.

Speaking after the match, MFM Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu described the game as sad news.

“The Malians are better, but it is not yet over. Speaking the truth, it is a very difficult situation right now. Sad news, bad result, but at the same time it is football.

“Every coach is always positive, but in football, we must say the truth, the truth is that with this condition, the Malians have the advantage.

“We don’t underrate any team even if it is grassroots team. So what we showcased today is what we have; we cannot use what we don’t have.

“Before the CAF Champions League, I said a lot about signing players. This is our structure, this is what we have and this is what maybe fatigue played a role too,” he said.

Ilechukwu said the absence of his regulars also affected the team’s structure and patterns.

“The absence of Sikiru Olatunbosun, Waheed Akanni and Akeem created a lot of problem for us and it is always giving me concerns.

“If we have Olatunbosun, Akeem and Waheed, we won’t have this type of problem, but I have talked to the management.

“We are sorry for what happened today, very painful and it is hard on us,” he said.

•Photo shows Akwa United team

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 9, 2018

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