Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Merreikh and Young Africans all took a step towards the group stage of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup with home victories in the first leg of their playoff ties on Saturday.

South African champions Sundowns found themselves in trouble early on against Ghana’s Medeama, but a three-goal blitz in six second-half minutes took them to a 3-1 victory, with Leonardo Castro, Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila all finding the back of the net for the home side in Pretoria.

In Omdurman, Sudanese giants Al Merreikh edged Moroccan visitors Kawkab de Marrakech 1-0 thanks to a 33rd minute goal from Ramadan Agab, while Tanzania’s Young Africans got the better of Angolan visitors Sagrada Esperanca 2-0 in Dar Es Salaam thanks to strikes from Saimon Msuva and Matheo Anthony.

Saturday’s two other matches ended in goalless stalemates, with Tunisia’s Esperance holding Algerian hosts MO Bejaia and Stade Malien unable to overcome Moroccan travellers FUS Rabat in Bamako.

The weekend’s Confed Cup action will wrap up on Sunday with the final first leg match as TP Mazembe host Stade Gabesien. Friday’s matches saw Al Ahly Tripoli held 0-0 at home by Misr Makkasa, while defending champions Etoile du Sahel beat CF Mounana 2-0 in Sousse.

The return leg matches will be held on the midweek dates of 17-18 May.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com