10-man Villa fall at home to CBE

CAF Champions League Preliminary Round

First Leg result

SC Villa 1-2 CBE

SC Villa have all it all to do after losing their first leg preliminary fixture to CBE of Ethiopia 2-1 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Saturday as the Ugandan CAF Champions League representatives made a return to the continent.

The Jogoos, who ended the match one man down following a late red card to striker Charles Lwanga for a nasty challenge on a CBE player, conceded early when Simon Peter Oketch beat goalkeeper Jeans Brady Wokorach.

Villa’s heartbeat Patrick Kakande should have drawn the game level before the halftime break but his attempt agonisingly wide after being put through by Isaac Mpagi.

The hosts’ coach, Morley Byekwaso, made a triple change, introducing Lwanga, Elvis Ngonde and Hakim Kiwanuka for Andrew Otim, Najib Yiga and Tony Atukunda as he tried to get a breakthrough.

But it was the visitors who instead got onto the score sheet in the 55th minute when Adid Gedey put the ball in the back of the net following a neat Ethiopian play.

CBE’s second goal silenced the small crowd of about 200 fans, who watched the match.

They did get some joy when Ngonde halved the deficit in the 69th minute but it was short-lived.

There was still some time for more Villa heartache as their young striker, Lwanga, was sent off late for a nasty challenge on a CBE.

Villa now have to go to Addis Ababa on Saturday, August 24 and win by a two-goal margin if they are to advance to the next stage.