Sekhukhune United started their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign on a losing note after a 2-0 defeat to RS Berkane on Sunday evening.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: RS Berkane 2-0 Sekhukhune United
Date: 26 November 2023
Venue: Stade Municipal de Berkane
Sekhukhune made only two changes following their win over SuperSport United before the FIFA break, as Ryan Baartman was handed his debut alongside the recall for Lebohang Mabotja.
Berkane had a dream start after Adil Tahif gave them the lead 13 minutes from the first whistle with a header from a set-piece delivery by Mohamed El Morabit.
Babina Noko were not subdued, as they carved out a good chance on 24 minutes after a good combination play but Elias Mokwana's shot in the box was saved by goalkeeper Hamza Akbi.
The Moroccan side had the control of the game though and Tahif had another chance from a header just before the interval but his effort was thwarted by shot-stopper Badra Ali Sangare after he connected again with a cross from El Morabit.
Sangare got more busy early in the second stanza as he kept the Limpopo side in the game with a point-blank save to keep out a header by Omar Arjoune after a cross by Yassine Lebhiri.
Looking to get more into the game, Babina Noko made an attacking change just before the hour-mark as Vusimuzi Mncube replaced Jamie Webber.
However, the hosts were the most threatening side with their aerial balls as with 15 minutes to go, Sangare plucked out a header Oussama Lamlaoui in the top corner after a cross by Omar Arjoune.
Berkane pressurized Sekhukhune in the latter phase and Youssef El Fahli eventually killed the game in the last five minutes with a strike in the box against the run of play just after coming on.
Babina Noko could not get out of their own half in the dying minutes as they succumbed to defeat in their opening game of Group D while Berkane had a perfect start.
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