CAF CL: Lobi Stars Edge Sundowns 2-1 In CAF Champions League Opener

Nigeria’s representative in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League, Lobi Stars kicked off their campaign in group A of the competition with a win defeating South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu on Friday Completesports.com reports.

Anthony Laffor shot the visitors, Mamelodi Sundowns into the lead after 38 minutes with an easy tap in but Lobi Stars drew level with the last kick of the half minute through a penalty, which Yaya Kone converted by sending Kennedy Mweene the wrong way.

Samuel Mathias fired in the winner past Mweene from close range after 52 minutes to secure their first win in group A.

Sundowns have never won a group game in West Africa, drawing once and losing four, including two in Nigeria.

In the other group game, Wydad Casablanca defeated Asec 5-2 on matchday 1 at home with Super Eagles winger Michael Babatunde bagging a goal and providing an assist in the encounter.

Ismail el Haddad gave Wydad, who won the competition a second time two years ago, the lead in the 16th minute but Wonlo Coulibaly restored parity in the first-half goals before Babatunde, Zouhair el Moutaraji, Walid el Karti and Badie Aouk secured an emphatic win for Wydad.

Salif Bagate scored a late consolation goal for the Abidjan outfit.

The triumph took Wydad to the top of Group A on goal difference from Nigerians Lobi, who came from behind to defeat 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa 2-1 in Enugu.

Babatunde starred for 75 minutes before he was replaced for Badie Aouk.

Lobi Stars are away to Asec Mimosa in their next game billed for the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium on the 19th of January while Mamelodi Sundowns will host group leaders, Wydad Casablanca.