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Esperance build two-goal African Champions League lead
CAIRO (AFP) - Former title holders Esperance of Tunisia scored in each half to defeat Zanaco of Zambia 2-0 as the second round of the African Champions League qualifiers began this weekend.
Chakib Lachkham put the 1994 champions ahead after 26 minutes before a 25,000 crowd at the Al-Menzah Stadium in Tunis and Kamel Zaiem converted a disputed 59th-minute penalty.
It was predictable first leg result in a tie Esperance are expected to win as the 'Blood and Gold' are virtually unbeatable at home while Zanaco constantly struggle away to North African opposition.
But after Zanaco official Chisa Chonga had finished criticising Mauritanian Mohamed Ghambodj for alleged biased refereeing in the Tunisian capital, he offered hope of a mid-March comeback in Lusaka.
"Esperance are not a good team and I want to assure our supporters we can beat them at home. The biggest disappointment was our failure to take several good scoring chances," said Chonga.
Another 14 fixtures are scheduled for later Saturday and Sunday in the premier Confederation of African Football club competition with 3.5 million dollars prize money at stake from the pool phase.
AS Cotontchad of Chad caused another shock in the second-tier African Confederation Cup with a 2-0 triumph over 1989 African Cup Winners Cup holders Al-Merreikh of Sudan.
Coached by widely travelled German Otto Pfister, Omdurman-based Merreikh were considered too powerful and experienced for opponents who upset Al-Ahly Tripoli of Libya in the previous round.
Chadian Esai Djikeloum had other ideas, however, putting Cotontchad ahead after six minutes and adding a second from a penalty kick two minutes before half-time in N'Djamena.
ENPPI of Egypt shrugged off poor domestic form to force a 0-0 draw with ASO Chlef in Algeria and will fancy winning the return match in Cairo and advancing to the final qualifying round next month.
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