Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker FC began their CAF Champions League campaign on a bad note after being held to a 1-1 draw by AS Port Louis 2000 of Mauritius in the preliminary first round match played at the Moi International Sports Centre,Kasarani on Saturday 11 February from 1500hours.
Tusker were the first to draw blood in the 20th minute through Shafiq Batambuze while Port Louis equalized in the 48th minute through Ephrem Guikan.
Tusker were more sharper in both halves but they did not use their chances with Allan Wanga being one of the victims in the first half when his effort from a free kick was deflected off the wall.
Tusker got the opener in the 20th minute when Ugandan International Shafiq Batambuze sloted ball home from a free kick with the Port Louis Luther Murphy Rose well beaten.
In the second half Ephrem Guikan drew the visitors level after a defence splitting shot from David Okello spill to hit a low ball into the back of the net.
Tusker made a substitution, thereafter bringing in Mike Khamati for Noah Wafula who imediatelly made an effort as he sent in a good cross in the Port Louis box but Wanga failed to glance in the header, missing the ball altogether and it went across the goal mouth.
Port Louis resulted to time wasting tactics with Tusker failing to unlock their defence after they came forward in their numbers in seach for a goal.
In the 80th minute, brewers survived a scare when Adriosa set up Guikan, who was ready to send home a shot but was snatched the ball on his legs by an impressive Shafiq Batambuze.
The draw means Tusker will need an away win and fail to conceed if they are to make it into the next round.
Tusker line up against ASPL 2000
20 David Okello(GK), 2 James Situma (C),6 Shafik Batambuze, 4 Martin Kizza, 17 Lloyd Wahome, 13 Hashim Sempala, 26 Noah Wafula, 14 Anthony Ndolo, 10 Danson Kago,30 Humphrey Mieno, 22Allan Wanga
Subs:1 Duncan Ochieng (GK), 24 Collins Shivachi, 5 Vincent omumbo, 18 Clifford Alwanga, 19 Michael Khamati, 9 Victor Ndinya, 21 Sydney Ochieng
