Martins Make History

          Ben MCcarthy Martins


Liberian international Ben MCcarthy Martins has made history in becoming the first Liberian to play in the group stage of the African Champions league when his Zambian side ZESCO United pinned visiting Malian side Djoliba 2-1 at the Trade Fiar Stadium in Ndola.

The win has also made ZESCO the first club from the South AFrican country to qualify to the group stage of the Champions league which was formatted in 1997.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg tie, the Zambians played their hearts out to oust the Malians. Contrastingly, it was Djoliba that drew first blood through Janvier About after 43 minutes. But, ZESCO fought back to get two second half strikes from Lottie Phiri and Enok Sakala.

According to reports monitored, the Liberian who is playing just behind his side fron two was a handful for the Malians who should blame themselves for squandering a host of attempts in the first leg at home.

In other matches played across the continent, the Cairo shock came to the fore when Nigerian club Kano Pillars held five times champions Al- AHly to a grueling 2-2 draw to qualify on a 3-3 goal aggregate.

After a 1-1 first leg tie in Nigeria, the Nigerians promised to eliminate the Ahly club, and true to their statement, they secured a two goal cushion through Victor Namo and Rabiu Mohamed, but the Egyptians produced a face saving equalizer through Angolan-import Flavio Amando and Mohamed Barakat.

Elsewhere in Zimbabwe, 1988 champions ASEC Mimosa were drubbed 2-0 by dark horses Monomotapa FC to qualify on a 2-1 aggregate. Charles Chituba and Daniel Kamungha were the heroes for the Zimbabweans who like ZESCO will be making their debut in the group stage of the African blue ribbon competition.

Another Nigeria side Heartland FC drew away to Coton Sport Garoua 1-1 to qualify on a 3-2 aggregate, as they won the first leg tie at home 2-1.Thankgod Ike scored for the visitors three minutes to the interval before Keita Salif found the leveller for the hosts who were runners up in the last season campaign.

Congo DR outfit TP Mazembe cruised through as well after holding Moroccans debutants Ittihad Zamour Khemisset 0-0 to go through on a 2-0 goal aggregate.

Tunisian side Sahel this time made amends when they brushed aside Libyan elite side Ahly Tripoli 2-0, while it was double celebration for Sudan as Al Merrikh and Al-Hilal qualified for the group stage.

On Sunday,The latter cruised through after a 2-0 win over Angolan side Primero Agosto 2-0 courtesy of goals from Mohamed Al-Tahir and Blaise Mbele.

A day earlier, Al Merrikh were held to a goalless draw in Obduram but still managed to qualify on a 1-0 goal aggregate.


So, it is a virtually new look African Champions league gropu stage with all eight sides, (Kano Pillars and Heartland FC from Nigeria, Sudanese ides Al- Hilal and Al-Merrikh, TP Mazembe of Congo DR, ZESCO United, Zambia, Monopotomo of Zimbabwe and Sahel of Tunisia) expected to be drawn in two groups of four teams each as they vie for the mouth watering USD 1 million dollar.

The winning club will actually pocket USD 950,000, while the national association will earn USD 50,000. Runners-up is USD 665,000, and the national association is 35,000.
For reaching the semi final, a club will earn USD 427,000 with the national association receiving USD22,500.

Team classified as third will receive USD 261,000, while the national association will receive USD 13, 750. And, team classified as fourth will earn USD 190,000, while the national association will receive USD 10,000