Chrispine Erambo scored the only goal as Tusker FC defeated Sudanese side Al Ahli Wad Medani 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday to book their place in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The victory gave the Brewers a 3-2 aggregate success after the two sides had played out a 2-2 draw in the opening leg in Kigali, Rwanda.
Tusker knew they could not afford another lapse after throwing away a two-goal advantage in the first meeting, and they showed greater composure in Nairobi as they secured the result they needed.
Al Ahli began brightly, with Wagdi Awad testing the Tusker defence early on, although his effort failed to trouble goalkeeper Perrauld Ndiga.
The Brewers gradually settled into the contest and threatened on the break through Victor Mbaoma. The forward beat his marker before releasing Ian Simiyu, whose attempt to bend the ball into the far corner was dealt with by Mohamed Abdalla.
Mbaoma then had an opportunity of his own but could not keep his effort on target.
Tusker continued to create openings through coordinated attacking moves, with captain Abud Omar, Fabian Adikny, John Otieno and Stephen Odima combining in one promising sequence before the ball fell to Erambo. The midfielder attempted to make something happen but was unable to keep possession.
Erambo would soon get another opportunity, and this time he made it count.
Tusker worked the ball forward from the wing in another quick attacking move, catching the Al Ahli defence exposed. With goalkeeper Abdalla having moved away from his line while attempting to close down the attack, Erambo was left with space and calmly finished into an unguarded net.
The goal changed the complexion of the match, forcing Al Ahli to chase the game while Tusker concentrated on maintaining their advantage.
Awad attempted an immediate response, but Ndiga stood firm, punching the effort away before also dealing with the resulting corner.
Ndiga’s quick distribution almost created another opening for Erambo as Tusker looked to exploit the spaces left by the visitors.
Al Ahli continued pressing for an equaliser, with John Orient producing an important clearance to deny the Sudanese side.
Tusker coach Julien Mette introduced fresh legs as the match entered its later stages, bringing on Abdoulie Joof for Simiyu before replacing Mbaoma and Erambo with Eric Kapaito and December Dise Kisakah.
Kisakah later created an opening for Kapaito after receiving the ball under pressure, but the substitute could not convert.
Joof was booked as Tusker worked to manage the closing stages and protect their narrow advantage.
This time, the Brewers held their nerve.
The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory and a 3-2 aggregate triumph, sending Tusker into the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Their next opponents will be either South Sudan’s Al Ghazala or Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars. Singida currently hold a commanding 7-1 aggregate advantage heading into the return leg in Tanzania.
