It was a mostly positive weekend for teams from the COSAFA region in African club competition this past weekend.

Zimbabwe champions Chicken Inn caused the biggest surprise when they defeated South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0, bringing to an end a 19-game unbeaten run for their opponents.

Sundowns fielded a near full-strength side too, but were undone by the quick counter-attacking football of the Gamecocks.
Zambian champions Zesco United beat Al-Ghazal from South Sudan 2-0 and will be confident of completing the victory in the tie in a fortnight’s time.

Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland claimed an excellent 1-0 home success over APR of Rwanda, their ability to keep a clean sheet at home potentially crucial.

Recreativo do Libolo of Angola thumped Equatorial Guinea’s Racing de Micomeseng 5-1 at home, while South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs were 4-0 winners at Volcan Club in the Comoros.

Mozambique’s Ferroviário Maputo were awarded their tie against Botswana’s Mochudi Centre Chiefs after the latter pulled out of the competition citing financial constraints.

Seychelles side St Michel United came unstuck in Ethiopia where they lost 3-0 to Kedus Giorgis, while Lesotho champions Lioli were 2-1 home losers to Vital’O from Burundi.

There was also good success for COSAFA sides in the African Confederation Cup.

South African side BidVest Wits defeated Light Stars from Seychelles 3-0 in the away leg of their tie, while Ajax Cape Town were 2-1 winners at Angolan outfit Sagrada Esperança.

Zimbabwe’s Harare City won 3-2 at home to AS Adema of Madagascar, while Fomboni Club from Comoros claimed a famous 1-0 victory over Atlético Olympic from Burundi.

Gaborone United of Botswana withdrew from the competition before their tie against JKU from Zanzibar.