The slim but deserved victory enabled Tusker to progress on a 3-2 aggregate win, having drawn the first leg 2-2 in Rwanda.
Tusker coach Julien Mette opted for an all-attacking starting XI, with new signing from Nigeria, Victor Mbaoma, leading the way.
The former Rivers United forward started up front alongside Fabian Adikiny and Perrauld Ndinga from DR Congo.
Ian Simiyu, Collins Ochieng, and John Otieno played behind the strikers, with Stephen Etyang assisting the trio. Aboud Omar, who arrived at Tusker from Kenya Police FC, captained the side and played alongside Chrispine Erambo and Thomas Teka.
With a 2-2 draw from the first leg at Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda, Tusker knew a straight win would guarantee them qualification to the second preliminary round of the competition.
Tusker started the brightest side with Simiyu missing a sitter with 14 minutes played. Omar won the ball at the edge of the box and rolled it to Simiyu, but the diminutive winger saw his left-footed shot roll just wide.
Erambo on target for Tusker
The Brewers continued to raid Al Ahli’s goalmouth, and Mbaoma, who last season was the top scorer in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) with 14 goals and four assists, missed another great chance despite being unmarked at the far post.
The Ruaraka-based club were all over the Sudanese side, but their finishing was their main undoing as of the 26th minute. Aboud Omar was another culprit of a missed opportunity.
The Harambee Stars defender thundered home a superb strike from outside the area, but it went inches wide. Omar was in a good position to square the cross to Mbaoma, but he decided to go alone and missed the opportunity.
Tusker started the second period just like the first, and Simiyu almost broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Mbaoma did well to battle for the ball and delivered a pass to Simiyu; however, the forward’s shot turned behind the goalkeeper for a corner.
However, Tusker’s relentless attacks paid off in the 63rd minute when Erambo powered to a brilliant switch from the left and spotted the Al Ahli Wad Madani keeper off the line.
The midfielder reacted quickly to lift the ball into an empty net to give the Brewers a lead they deserved.
In the 67th minute, Tusker came close again, this time Mbaoma’s free-kick going over the bar. Tusker are making a return to the competition after four years, with the Brewers last featuring on the continental stage during the 2021/22 season.
Meanwhile, Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto and AS Real Bamako of Mali secured places in the second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup after registering contrasting victories over Green Mamba and Vitesse FC respectively.
Primeiro de Agosto underlined their superiority over Eswatini's Green Mamba with another 2-0 victory, with Samu Tshibamba scoring twice in the first half to complete a commanding 4-0 aggregate success.
Real Bamako had to work considerably harder for their qualification, being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Burkina Faso’s Vitesse but progressing 2-1 on aggregate thanks to their victory in the opening encounter.
Gor Mahia to face Pyramids in Cairo
On Sunday, September 12th, Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will seek to overturn a 2-0 deficit against former champions Pyramids FC when they face off in Cairo.
Gor Mahia have already arrived in Cairo ahead of the game at the 30 June Stadium. Ahead of the decisive fixture, Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor remained confident they can overturn the result if they take their chances.
“We have prepared well for the game. We know what is ahead of us and we know the kind of opponent we are going to face,” said the Ghanaian coach.
“The second leg will require determination, the right mindset and a high level of concentration. If we can do the right things on the pitch, then we will give ourselves a chance.”
Akonnor added: “We have to believe in ourselves. We have to stay focused from the first minute until the last minute because in a game like this, one moment can change everything.”
The winner of the two-legged contest will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face either South Sudan’s El Merreikh Bentiu or Somalia’s Heegan FC.
