By Mulualem Fekadu,
Ethiopian premier league champions Dedebit fought gallantly but failed to overcome a determined CS Sfaxien of Tunisia losing 1-2 in a thrilling match played at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa in the ongoing Caf champions league.
The game begun like a house on fire with both sides asking questions on the keepers but it was Sfaxien who broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Fahreddine Ben Youssef shot beat Dedebit keeper Sisay Bancha to give the visitors the 0-1 lead.
However the goal seemed to spur up Dedebit who fought relentlessly and their effort paid off handsomely when Dawit Fekadu wonderful chip beat the Sfaxien keeper to give his side the much needed equaliser.
The game went to the break with both sides tied at 1-1 and upon resumption both sides fired from all cylinders but defensive lapses ensured Sfaxien got their second goal in the 73rd minute putting paid to Dedebit hopes as their opponents got a deserved 1-2 win as they held on to the slim win but with vital away goals.
Dedebit travel to Tunisia on Thursday for the return match that will be played on the 8th March .They need to score two goals and avoiding conceding any to qualifying for the second round which is a daunting task.
Dedebit beat KMKM of Zanzibar in the preliminaries to set up the mouth watering clash with Tunisian giants Cs Sfaxien.