Mozambican clubs advance in Africa

Encouraging recent results by Mozambican teams continued at the weekend as Liga Muculmana and Ferroviario Maputo advanced in the CAF club competitions. A first minute goal from Stelio 'Telinho' Ernesto set up Muculmana for a 3-0 triumph over Zanzibar visitors Mafunzo in a delayed CAF Champions League first round, second leg match. 'Telinho' completed his brace before half-time and Reginaldo Fait scored midway through the second half for a comfortable success that sealed a 5-0 aggregate victory and a last-32 date with Dynamos of Zimbabwe. Dynamos, who received a bye into the second round, should provide a more thorough examination for Muculmana, having reached the semi-finals of the elite CAF club competition four years ago. Ferroviario also completed a double by winning 1-0 away to Kenyan outfit Gor Mahia in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup thanks to a first-half goal from Ibraimo Pilale and face Sudanese side Al Ahly Shandy next. Trailing by three goals after the first leg, 1987 African Cup Winners Cup title holders Gor failed to convert an early penalty kick in Nairobi before Pilale beat Jerim Onyango with a scorching shot from outside the box. The Kenyans improved after stand-in coach John 'Bobby' Ogolla made several second half substitutions with Cameroonian Baldwin Ngwa troubling the visiting defence. But Ferroviario goalkeeper Nelson Longonote was in inspired form throughout the game with several excellent saves before a large crowd at Nyayo stadium, including denying a penalty from Victor Ali. Success for Muculmana and Ferroviario followed a good showing by Mozambique in their 1-1 draw with Tanzania in a 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last month, offering hope of progress when the countries meet in June. Former champions Vita Club from Congo DR overwhelmed Athletico Olympic of Burundi 5-0 in Kinshasa to virtually seal a Champions League second round spot ahead of the return match in Bujumbura this weekend. The Congolese led 3-0 at half-time in the 80,000-seat Martyrs stadium through goals from Tadde Etekiama, Gabonese Romaric Rogombe and Yves Magola, who got his second after the break while Kevin Ndeyisene conceded an own goal.