ACCC: Butali hold off pressure from Jaguars to open campaign with a win

Kenyan champions Butali Sugar Warriors have survived a late scare from Western Jaguars to register a narrow 2-1 win in the opening Africa Cup for Club Champions campaign at Sikh Union. 

Besides the three points, the Kenyan teams are placed in pool B of the tournament were looking to grab the bragging rights at stake but it was Butali who had the last laugh after holding off the battling Jaguars to bag everything on offer. 

Butali who were recently crowned the Kenyan champions laid bare their intentions after sounding the board hardly a minute into the game through Moses Ademba.

The sugarmen who were dominant in the opening two quarters doubled their advantage in the 36th minute through Calvins Kanu's superb field goal.

Jaguars decision to save the best for the last proved costly as their dominance in the final quarter was not enough to salvage a point as Butali defended well.

Instead, the team that finished third in the Kenyan league got the consolation goal in the 58th minute through Derrick Wakwabubi.

Having secured the first win in the tournament, Butali manager Kamal Sembi as expected said their eyes are trained on the next encounter.

"It was a tough game but I am happy we have won. They gave us a run for our money in the closing stages of the game but we held off well. The tournament is tough as every team is hunting for the ultimate prize," he said.

The club's skipper Constant Wakhura also admitted that Jaguars were head and shoulders above them in the final moments of the game.

"We are happy for the positive start although it is not lost on us that we were put to test in the last quarter. We had to resort to possessing the ball more in a bid to slow them.Our goal is to reach the final nd win the tournament," said the defender.

Jaguars head coach Michael Malungu said the early goal the team conceded threw their plan in disarray and took them a while to recognise themselves.

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"Regrettably, we let in a goal early in the game. We had moments to draw back but we did not take full advantage.Of course it is our first time at this stage which we consider historical.We have to work on our finishing," said the tactician who doubles up as the National women's team assistant coach.

His sentiments were echoed by the club's skipper Ivan Ludiali who rued the lost chances and the shaky moments in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Nigerian side Delta Queens benefited freebies after their compatriots Kada Queens failed to show up at City Park.

According to the organiser, Kada are yet to jet in.