ZIMBABWEAN representatives in the Total 2017 CAF Confederation Cup picked up a vital away goal in their 2-1 defeat away to Angolan side Recreativo do Libolo in the first round first leg at Estadio Municipal de Calulo in Calulo, Angola on Saturday.

But Ngezi left the Angola feeling hard-done after they were denied what they believed was a legitimate goal when Zambian referee Wellington Kaoma ruled out a Donald Teguru strike for offside in the dying minutes of the match.

However, Madamburo should also take the flack for some generous defending which allowed Brazillian striker Fabricio to fire twice past Nelson Chadya.

The Libolo hitman opened the scoring in the 19th minute and was on hand in the 54th again to cancel out Liberty Chakoroma’s 19th-minute equaliser.

Chakoroma’s equaliser – fired home after he was fed by Qadr Amini – was his second away goal in the Caf Confederations Cup and could again prove decisive in the second leg in Harare next weekend.

The Ngezi Platinum Stars skipper was on target when his team drew one-all away to Pamplemousse of Mauritius in the previous round.

But the Chibuku Super Cup champions melted in Angola’s soaring temperatures on Saturday.

The winner of this round of matches will advance to the play-offs where they will be joined by the 16 losers of the Champions League first round.

Clube Recreativo Desportivo do Lobilo are four-time winners of the Angolan championship and are the current holders of the Taca de Angola, that country’s premier knockout tournament. They reached the CAF Champions League group stage in 2013 but their last dance in the Confederation Cup ended in the round of 16 in 2009.

Teams

Recreativo do Libolo: Landu, Mariano, Jaime, Celson, Eddie Afonso, Ito, Sidnei, Kaya, Cabibi, Nandino, Fabricio

Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, K Murera, E Tapera, P Jaure, W Mukanga, D Mukandi, G Murwira, L Chakoroma, T Mabvura, W Pakamisa, Q Amini