The preliminary round return leg of the African champions league and confederation cup held across the continent in the weekend. Ethiopian representatives, Both debutants, Mekelle 70 Enderta, and Fasil Kenema, have been knocked out with a similar 3-2 aggregate result.
On Saturday, Ethiopian cup winners Fasil Kenema-who are under new management- suffered a 3-1 loss at the hands of Azam Fc at the Azam complex stadium.
Fasil was without Bezabieh Meleyo who scored the only goal that separates both sides in the first leg. Recently appointed Fasil Kenema head coach, Seyoum Kebede was in the technical area for his new side for the first time.
Two first-half strikes from the Ghanian forward Richard Jodi and Obrey Chirwa were on target for the hosts meanwhile Mujib Qassim scored the conciliation goal for Fasil Kenema.
Azam FC of Tanzania progressed to the next round of the confederation cup at the expense of Fasil Kenema with 3-2 Aggregate score.
Meanwhile, Today the first-ever continental match held at the Tigray Stadium, wasteful Mekelle were held to a frustrating one-all draw against Cano Sport Academy of Equatorial Guinea.
The match was a one-sided affair from start to finish. Mekelle 70 Enderta players missed so many chances that proved to be the difference at full time.
Mekelle, backed by a very colorful near to full capacity crowd, were the favorites to turn the tie after losing the opening leg 2-1 in Malabo despite their lack of continental experience. The prolific goal machine Amanuel G/Michael composed finish from Ouse Mawli flick give the home side a breakthrough in the 11th minute and there were so many chances wasted including a missed penalty kick from Ouse Mawli after Amanuel was brought down inside Cano’s penalty box.
Benjamin Naone’s 37-minute strike leveled the matters for the visitors sending the Mekelle players and crowd to panic mode.
After the restart, the game continued in a similar fashion as the hosts were in action to find the net. meanwhile, Cano sports were merely seen cross the halfway line. But Mekelle’s poor finishing and lack of alternative game plan led them to salvage an undeserved one all draw.
©Soccer Ethiopia
