Libya’s Al Ittihad FC reclaimed their Group B top spot in the CAF Confederation Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over eSwatini’s Royal Leopards FC on Sunday evening at the Mbombela Stadium.
Two first half goals by Muad Eisay and Omar Alkhja were enough to see the Libyan champions collect all three points against a spirited Leopards side, who gave the visitors a scare in search of a result.
The visitors got off to a flying start as early as the second minute after a well-threaded ball by Omar Alkhja connected well with the skillful Muad Eisay who comfortably slotted home after beating his marker to give his side the early lead.
The goal forced the hosts to change their game plan as coach Edwin Matsebula’s side surged forward in search of equalizer. They were almost rewarded in the 9th minute when Menzi Sithole’s unexpected long rage strike almost caught the keeper napping, who was fortunate to see the effort go just inches wide of goal.
Pressure continued to mount for the Libyans who almost conceded from a delightful cross by the on-form Junior Magagula who nearly connected with the oncoming Bongani Dlamini who was a split second late to meet with the cross.
Eisay almost found his second of the day after a quick counter that concluded with an inch-perfect pass from Alkhja that saw the winger’s curler from the right going wide off goal.
The visitors did however double the lead towards the end of the opening half after good build up play from Eisay and Anas Hamad concluded with Alkhja finding the back of the net in the 39th minute to give Ittihad a comfortable 2-0 lead at ahead of the break.
Coming back into the second stanza, Leopards continued sending numbers forward and were duly rewarded in the 49th minute after an attempted clearing header by the lanky Bin Ali from an inviting cross by Bongani Dlamini found its way into the back of his own net.
With a renewed hope of an equalizer, Leopards continued piling on the pressure, bringing on the pacey Thokozane Dlamini who added more firing power to the Leopards attack.
It was however not meant to be for the competition debutants who could not break down the resolute Ittihad defense who sealed the victory to go top of the group ahead of their trip to Algeria for a crunch encounter against JS Saoura.
Leopards on the other hand will be hoping for a result when they face a wounded Orlando Pirates who are reeling from their 2-1 Soweto derby defeat against last season’s CAF Champions league runner’s up, Kaizer Chiefs.
Source:CAF
