Wins for Dekedaha, Mbabane Swallows as Champions League kicks off

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 17, 2024. 10:00

The 2024-25 CAF Champions League season is officially underway, with Friday’s matches bringing wins for Dekedaha FC of Somalia and Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows.

The first round of the qualification phase got underway in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, where Djibouti’s Arta Solar hosted Dekedaha. The visitors secured a 2-0 win thanks to first-half goals from Adam Haggio and Idris Bilal, making them clear favourites to advance into the next round and face seeded heavyweights Esperance de Tunis.

In Bamako, Mali, Milo FC of Guinea were held to a 0-0 draw by Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou – leaving their tie very much in the balance – while Mbabane Swallows secured a 1-0 win over Ferroviario da Beira of Mozambique at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa.

‘Umkhonto Kashaka’ secured their victory thanks to a goal early in the second half from Karim Madja. They will face a tough return game in Maputo next weekend, but the prize on offer is a second round tie against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The first round qualifying ties continue on Saturday, headlined by Young Africans of Tanzania away to Burundi’s Vital’O and Niger’s ASGNN hosting Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca.

CAF Champions League results, Friday 16 August

Arta Solar (Djibouti) 0-2 Dekedaha FC (Somalia)

Milo FC (Guinea) 0-0 FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)

Mbabane Swallows (Eswatini) 1-0 Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique)