LAGOS - Nigeria's Heartland beat Congo champions TP Mazembe 2-1 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.
LAGOS - Nigeria's Heartland beat Congo champions TP Mazembe 2-1 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.
Star striker Tresor Mputu Mabi opened the scoring for the visitors after 23 minutes but TP Mazembe's lead lasted only a minute with youth international King Osanga levelling the score for Heartland.
In-form forward Uche Agba netted the match winner for Heartland in the 80th minute.
On a rain-hit home pitch Heartland created several early chances but failed to capitalise on them before Mazembe moved in front through Mabi.
Osanga restored parity with a fine individual goal almost immediately when he drove past the Mazembe defence.
Later in the keenly contested second half it seemed likely the first leg was heading for a draw, until Agba finished off some great teamwork by firing home a left-footed volley.
The second leg of the final is slated for Sunday in Lubumbashi with the overall winner of this year's Champions League pocketing prize money of $1,5 million (R11,8million).
The last Nigerian champions of Africa's elite club competition were Enyimba, winners in 2003 and 2004. TP Mazembe are the DRC's only winners, triumphing in 1967 and 1968 and losing the finals of 1969 and 1970. - Sapa-AFP
Champs League poised
LAGOS - Nigeria's Heartland beat Congo champions TP Mazembe 2-1 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.
LAGOS - Nigeria's Heartland beat Congo champions TP Mazembe 2-1 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.
Star striker Tresor Mputu Mabi opened the scoring for the visitors after 23 minutes but TP Mazembe's lead lasted only a minute with youth international King Osanga levelling the score for Heartland.
In-form forward Uche Agba netted the match winner for Heartland in the 80th minute.
On a rain-hit home pitch Heartland created several early chances but failed to capitalise on them before Mazembe moved in front through Mabi.
Osanga restored parity with a fine individual goal almost immediately when he drove past the Mazembe defence.
Later in the keenly contested second half it seemed likely the first leg was heading for a draw, until Agba finished off some great teamwork by firing home a left-footed volley.
The second leg of the final is slated for Sunday in Lubumbashi with the overall winner of this year's Champions League pocketing prize money of $1,5 million (R11,8million).
The last Nigerian champions of Africa's elite club competition were Enyimba, winners in 2003 and 2004. TP Mazembe are the DRC's only winners, triumphing in 1967 and 1968 and losing the finals of 1969 and 1970. - Sapa-AFP