Sekhukhune United got their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign up and running with a 2-1 win over Diables Noirs on Sunday evening.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Sekhukhune United 2-1 Diables Noirs
Date: 03 December 2023
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sekhukhune made four changes following defeat against RSB Berkane, as Vusimuzi Mncube, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Tashreeq Morris and Lehlohonolo Mtshali were recalled.
The sides were going at each other in the early exchanges but there were no clear-cut chances before Alves Ngakosso-Oko broke the deadlock for the visitors on 26 minutes with a strike from range following a counter-attack.
Babina Noko replied four minutes later courtesy of Kamohelo Sithole, who fired home a strike in the box after he connected with Morris.
The game opened up and Daniel Cardoso gave Lehlohonolo Seema's charges the lead just before the interval with a strike from outside the box against the run of play.
The sides continued to go at each other coming from the break but there were no clear opportunities in the last third and around the hour-mark, Seema made an attacking change as Jamie Webber replaced Mtshali.
The Congolese side had the urgency going forward and Yann Ngatse almost levelled matters in the last 22 minutes, with a strike in the box that was kept out of the bottom corner by goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare.
Sekhukhune looked to kill off the game in the closing 15 minutes with another attacking change, as Chibuike Ohizu replaced Morris for fresh legs upfront.
Diables were threatening to get the equaliser in the dying minutes as Joel Mozeviko had a shot from outside the box that was smothered by Sangare.
The visitors continued to pressurize Sekhukhune and had dangerous shots at goal but Seema's men survived and clinched the maximum points.
Babina Noko got their first points in Group D and are three points behind leaders Berkane after two rounds of matches.
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