CAFCC: Muguna’s Azam thrashed in Libya as Juma’s AS Kigali get group stage lifeline

Following the successful completion of the first preliminary round of the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup, the crucial second round of the continental tournament got underway on Saturday with a number of Kenyan internationals hoping to get a firm grip on the first leg matches with an aim of sealing their spots in the coveted group stages of the competition.

For Harambee Stars international and former Gor Mahia midfielder Kenneth Muguna, those hopes were dealt a heavy blow as his Tanzanian side Azam were humbled by Libyan opposition Al Akhdar leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg.

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The script was however just slightly different for former Sofapaka attacking midfielder Lawrence Juma whose AS Kigali side managed to keep their hopes alive with a hard fought home draw against Libya’s Al Nasr.

Here is a wrap of how the action unfolded plus the rest of the results.

Kenneth Muguna

Having been sidelined from the match due to injury, Muguna could not play any part in preventing his side from suffering a 3-0 thrashing away to Al Akhdar at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.

It was a game that saw a disappointing capitulation from the ice cream makers after comfortably holding themselves together in the opening fourty minutes of the clash.

The floodgates opened in the 41st minute when Sahyib found the opener for the home side after beating the Tanzanian defensive line. Just a minute later, Al Akhdar managed to double their lead against the napping Azam as Amer Altawargi scored the second.

The meltdown was complete in the second minute of first half stoppage time as Altawargi sealed his brace with what proved to be the final nail in Azam’s coffin.

With the second round clashes being played next weekend, Muguna’s side will need nothing short of a miracle to overturn the tie and progress to the group stage at the first time of asking.

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Lawrence Juma

The Kenyan international and his AS Kigali outfit from Rwanda managed to stay alive as they played to a barren home draw against Al Nasr at the Huye Stadium which gives them a chance to progress automatically to the group stages should they secure a favourable result in the return leg.

Juma was included in the matchday squad and started as a substitute. Goalkeeper Fredrick Odhiambo, who also plies his trade at the club, was not included in the matchday squad with the cub failing to reveal any reason behind his absence.

Select Saturday CAF Confederation Cup Results

AS Kigali 0-0 Al Nasr

Al Akhdar 3-0 Azam

St Michel United 0-1 Motema Pembe

Real Bamako 3-0 Hearts of Oak

Kipanga 0-0 Club Africain

Al-Hilal 0-2 Pyramids