David GOMBE
Uganda Premier league champions SC Villa suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Ethiopia’s CBE on their return to the continent in nine years.
Former BUL FC striker Simon Peter Oketch fired the visitors to a bright start to silence the few Villa faithfuls at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Patrick Jonah Kakande had a golden chance to restore parity at the stroke of halftime but hit his effort wide.
In the 55th minute, Abid Gedey doubled CBE’s advantage before second half substitute Elvis Ngonde pulled one back for the home side.
SC Villa’s starman Kakande had another opportunity to level matters in the closing stages but couldn’t hit the target.
CBE smiled to a first leg advantage of the first CAF Champions League Preliminary round.
Morley Byekwaso and his charges will have to score two unanswered goals in Addis Ababa next weekend to prevail.
