CAF CC: RS Berkane hand Napsa Stars first loss in Africa
CAF CC – Group Stage: Rs Berkane 2 – 0 Napsa Stars (Hamza Regragui, Mouhssine Iajour)
Napsa Stars experienced their first loss in Africa when they went down 2 – 0 to RS Berkane in the first round of the 2020/21 Confederation Cup group stage.
Coach Mohamad Fathi was brave to go with the young and inexperienced striking duo on 19 year old Jimmy Mukeya and 22 year old Doisy Soko ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations golden boot winner Emmanuel Mayuka and veteran striker Bornwell Mwape.
The gamble paid off as Napsa looked a threat in the final third in this game as compared to the previous games they have played in the competition despite the lack of goals.
Mukeya had Napsa’s best chance of the game when he ran on to a through ball going one on one with the keeper. He tried to go round the keeper but was stopped in his tracks by the outstretched hand of Zouhair Laaroubi in the Berkane goal.
The home team took the lead in the 12th minute when defender Hamza Regragui flicked the ball past Rabson Muchelengaga in a congested box after a speculative shot from range.
Napsa were holding up well but conceded at the death of the first half when David Odhiambo was caught out of position and the covering Luka Banda was beaten inside the box for Mouhssine Iajour to cut in and curl one around Muchelenganga for the second.
In the second half, Fathi introduced Mayuka and Mwape for Soko and Austine Banda respectively. Unfortunately this slowed down the pace in attack and Napsa hardly threatened the entire second half.
The Moroccans came closest scoring in the half with a good shot taken from outside the box beating Muchelenganga but he was lucky to see it come off the crossbar.
This was Napsa’s seventh match in Africa in a season they are making their maiden appearance. They had not lost a match before this.
Napsa host JS Kabylie of Algeria next week on Wednesday.
Napsa Stars XI
Rabson Muchelenganga – Bornwell Silengo, David Odhiambo, Amos Simwanza, Luka Banda, Dickson Chapa (C), Jacob Ngulube, Austine Banda (Bornwel Mwape), Danny Silavwe (Enock Sabamukama), Jimmy Mukeya (Aaron Kabwe), Dosiy Soko (Emmanuel Mayuka)