adminWHILE the countrya��s Caf club tournaments, representatives Caps United and Ngezi Platinum got off to away drawing starts, elsewhere it was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Zimbabwean players plying their trade in foreign lands.
Warriors fringe wingback, Oscar Machapa missed the opening weekend of Caf club tournaments as the Champions League and Cup Winners Cup got underway.
Machapaa��s DRC outfit AS Vita edged Royal Leopard of Swaziland 1-0 at Somhlolo National Stadium with Francisco Ondo providing the 36th minute winner to take a Caf Cup Winners Cup preliminary round 1st leg cushion to Kinshasa.
In Francistown, Botswana, Talent Maphosa once again failed to make the final 18 as Mbabane Swallows conquered Madinda Ndlovua��s Orapa United 1-0 courtesy of a Wonder Nhleko 73rd minute strike.
Orapa the famed a�?Ostriches of Botswanaa�? had a Zimbabwean, Tendai Chikomo on the field against Swallows who picked up their first ever continental tournament victory on the road after several heartbreaks mostly in South Africa and Zambia in seven attempts.
Nonetheless, Ndlovu gave his lads praise.
a�?We played well and stamped authority in the match but were let down by the goal in the second half. It was more of a cross but our goalkeeper misjudged the flight of the ball. Not all is lost and we will be out for a fight in the return match next weekend,a�? said Ndlovu.
In Antananarivo, Madagascar, Terence Mandaza saw out the entire 90a�� on the bench as Township Rollers went down 1-2 to CNaPS at CNaPS Stadium in the Champions League on Saturday afternoon.
Cuthbert Malajila featured in Bidvest Wits 1-2 defeat to Saint Louisienne.
Supersport United, home to Onesimor Bhasera and Kingston Nkhata, played out a goalless draw away to ASSM Elgeco Plus on Sunday afternoon.
Young Africans, home to Thabani Kamusoko and Donald Ngoma were 5-1 winners over Ngaya Club with Edward Sadombaa��s El Merreickmm Merreich 1-0 away winners over Sony Ela Nguema.
The second leg matches will be played this weekend.
@NoelMunzabwa
derick.khumalo