The Presidential Under-23 Pool Cup took shape in the Central Region on Saturday with regional champions S5 starting their title defence on high note.
S5 beat Alliance One 3-2 in the first leg of the first round played at Maimba’s Place in Area 18A.
The game attracted officials from the Central Region Pool League (CRPL) such as tournament director Ben Kaukonde and treasurer general Kennedy Kalilombe Jnr.
Alliance One had to blame themselves for not putting home ground advantage to good use.
They trailed 2-0 from the start after Martin Maimba and Chimwemwe Msokera lost to Kondwani Mwase and Andrew Kumwenda respectively.
Chimwala Shuxy Maulana who was ‘man of the match’ reduced the gap to 2-1 when he outplayed Zafik Ratifi, leaving him with six balls on the table.
The home side was awarded the last frame after Dema Chisomo, who was paired to play against Vanwick Mande, did not turn up.
With the victory, S5 have an advantage of qualifying for the second round as the return leg will be played at their backyard.
“It is so painful to lose before the home fans. We are just down but not out. We will upset the tables in the return leg,” said Alliance One captain Chimwemwe Msokera.
In other results, Siege beat Sunset 4-1 at Gulliver. FIB, Incognito Treatment and Grittaz registered 3-0 victories against Gulliver, Top Level, Umqombothi and Adventures respectively.
