Flames duo Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango and Robert Ng’ambi played full games as their teams progressed to the first round of CAF tournaments on Saturday.
Gabadinho’s Bidvest Wits managed to turn their CAF Champions League first-round tie around as they earned a 3-1 win over Saint Louisienne of Reunion to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Wits entered the game trailing 2-1 from the first leg and Gabadinho’s away goal proved vital in the return leg at the Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg.
According to a kickoff.com report, Wits got their opener on the 27th minute l when Daine Klate curled home an inch-perfect free-kick to put the hosts ahead on the night and even on aggregate.
Shortly after half-time, Wits grabbed their second when Sifiso Myeni produced a superb solo run to skip past two defenders before slotting smartly into the back of the net.
With 12 minutes remaining Saint Louisienne, who were mourning after the death of their club president this morning, pulled one back through Philean to level the scores on aggregate and seemingly set to force an extra-time.
However, Wits again showed their tenacity and grabbed the vital goal just four minutes from time through Cuthbert Malajila who produced a sublime volley to hammer the ball home.
Platinum Stars ensured their progression to the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup when they earned a 1-0 win over Songo on Saturday to progress 2-0 on aggregate.
Dikwena entered this weekend’s tie holding the advantage from the first-leg courtesy of Ng’ambi’s away strike, but were unable to add to their tally in a goalless first-half.
Platinum struck right at the death, Ndumiso Mabena tapping home at the far-post following a dangerous ball right across the face of goal.
