Tusker FC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars in their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round first leg at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, leaving the Brewers with a difficult task ahead of the return fixture.

Substitute Kinda scored the decisive goal in the second half, punishing Tusker’s defence with an impressive individual effort to hand the visitors a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg in Tanzania on October 25.

The teams went into the break level after a closely contested first half in which Tusker showed attacking intent but struggled to turn possession into clear scoring opportunities.

The Brewers started brightly, with Eugene Ikutwa driving forward in the sixth minute before setting up Ian Simiyu, whose poor first touch allowed Singida to recover.

Tusker continued to probe, with Abdoulie Joof and Simiyu involved in attempts to unlock the visitors’ defence. A promising move involving Abud Omar, Abdalla Siraj, Victor Mbaoma and Simiyu also failed to produce a breakthrough after the final delivery missed its intended target.

Singida returned from the break with greater urgency and eventually found the breakthrough through Kinda, who beat Ikutwa with his trickery before unleashing a superb effort from the right side.

Tusker coach Julien Mette responded by introducing Stephen Odima for Joof as the hosts searched for an equaliser.

The Kenyan side won a free-kick just outside the penalty area after Alvin Mangeni was fouled, but Simiyu’s effort was blocked by the Singida defence.

Kinda remained a threat at the other end, beating John Otieno before sending his subsequent attempt over the crossbar. Singida also threatened to extend their lead through Henry David, but goalkeeper Perauld Ndinga produced an important save to keep Tusker in contention.

Mette made further changes, bringing on Aboubacar Doumbia, Warsama Houssein and Stephen Ochieng in an attempt to revive the hosts’ attack.

Simiyu came close to restoring parity with an effort that was deflected behind for a corner, but Tusker could not find a way past the Tanzanian defence.

The result leaves the Brewers needing a victory in Tanzania to keep their hopes of reaching the group stage alive.

Tusker advanced to the second preliminary round after edging Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani 3-2 on aggregate, while Singida arrived after a commanding 10-1 aggregate triumph over South Sudan’s El Gazira.

Mette had acknowledged Singida’s greater experience and financial strength before the match but maintained that his young squad had the technical quality to compete.

The Brewers must now deliver a stronger performance on October 25 to overturn the deficit and remain in the continental competition.