Jimmy Mumba (left) got Buffalos' crucial second
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Sudanese giants El-Mereikh have bowed out of the Caf Confederations Cup after losing to Zambia's Green Buffalos 2-0.
The North Africans, 1-0 up after the first leg, failed to score at Lusaka's Independence stadium to go out via a 2-1 goal aggregate.
Two first half goals, from defender Clive Hachilensa
and forward Jimmy Mumba, were all the army-sponsored
side needed to sail through to the next round of the competition.
Hachilensa found the net on 15 minutes after being set up by winger Dudley Fichite.
El-Mereikh's Nigerian goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim was poorly positioned and could only grasp at air as Hachilensa's shot sailed past him into the net.
10 minutes later the Sudanese team almost
levelled the score through Brazilian star Neto, and were only rescued by goalkeeper Collins
Mbulo, who made a brilliant save.
But on 35 minutes Buffalos scored their second goal
through Mumba, who headed in a Patrick Masosa cross
from the left wing.
The second half was less colourful as Buffaloes drew
all their ammunition to the back to defend the lead.
El-Mereikh coach Ferner Diethem blamed his team for
missing scoring chances in the first half.
"We squandered two sure chances in the first half and
when Buffalos scored, they became confident thereby
defending their lead," he said.
"Buffalos played a good game and I wish them the best
in the second round."
Later this weekend, Deportivo Mongomo, from Equatorial Guinea, are also on course for a rare victory after a 2-2 away draw at Diables Noires in Brazzaville, Congo's capital, earlier this month.
The second leg is in Bata at the weekend and presents the tiny oil-wealthy country with a chance for rare footballing success.
Teams from Equatorial Guinea have been competing in continental club competition since 1980 but only ever won three ties on aggregate.
Full Fixtures
Friday
In Rufsique: ASC Thies (Senegal) v Stade Tunisien (Tunisia) (0-6)
Saturday
In Banjul: Wallidan (Gambia) v Djoliba (Mali) (0-1)
In Bata: Deportivo Mongomo (Equatorial Guinea) v Diables Noirs (Congo) (2-2)
In Dar-es-Salaam: Mtibwa Sugar (Tanzania) v Chemelil Sugar (Kenya) (2-0)
In Johannesburg: Wits University (South Africa) v Ferroviario Nampula (Mozambique) (3-1)
In Libreville: US Mbila Nzami (Gabon) v Kiyovu Sports (Rwanda) (1-0)
In Lome: Dyto Lome (Togo) v Etoile Filante (Burkina Faso) (0-2)
In Tripoli: Al Nasr (Libya) v Mogas 90 (Benin) (0-1)
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MMIX
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