Sekhukhune United grabbed a crucial 3-1 victory over FC Saint Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round first-leg on Saturday evening.
Sekhukhune started goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, Katlego Mkhabela, Miguel Diaz, veteran Sibusiso Vilakazi and Kgomotso Mosadi from their last match against Richards Bay FC.
Sekhukhune did break the deadlock on ten minutes with a smartly taken finish from Nigeria-born striker Chibuike Ohizu leaving the visitors caught at the back.
However, the visitors managed to get back on equal terms three minutes later as Mokonzi Katumbwe found space to get the better of goalkeeper Leaner.
Sekhukhune did have the ball in the net once again inside the half-hour mark through a finish from Mosadi, but he was deemed to have strayed offside.
Babina Noko continued piling numbers forward though and reclaimed the lead with a free-kick from Jamie Webber five minutes towards halftime.
There was a change from Babina Noko coach Brandon Truter ahead of the second half where Siphesihle Mkhize made way for Zambian international Rally Bwalya.
Lupopo continued to sit on the back-foot ten minutes from the break and were breached again as Tresor Tshibwabwa pounced to give them a third goal.
Babina Noko remained in control inside the latter stages as the visitors battled to get settled overall and for the better part sat firmly on the back-foot.
With the tempo balanced ahead of full-time, the host managed to see out the remaining minutes and claimed a crucial first-leg victory over Lupopo.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Learner, Mkhabela, Mabotja, Tshibwabwa, Gyimah, Diaz, Webber, Mkhize, Ohizu, Vilakazi, Mosadi
Subs: Sangare, Ntiya-Ntiya, Cardoso, Mokotjo, Maloisane, Bwalya, Ncube, Mokwana, Thulwa
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