The opening preliminary round of the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup opened up with three ties playing their first legs on Friday and one tie not going as planned. 2021-22 Ethiopian Premier League runners-up Fasil Kenema got off to a brilliant start at the Bahir Dar International Stadium with a comfortable 3-0 win over Burundian club Bumamuru FC. Alembirhan Yigzaw opened the scoring for the Emperors by heading in a 34th minute corner kick. It appeared Bumamuru might be able to keep the loss down to a goal but Fasil stepped up their efforts in the second half with goals from Fikadu Alemu and Tafesse Solomon to give the hosts a three-goal cushion for the second leg.

Sierra Leone’s Kallon FC earned a surprise victory in Cotonou, Benin by taking down Buffles du Borgou. After the hosts failed to take advantage of a positive start Kallon were able to keep the match even before Mohamed Sesay scored from a corner kick soon after the hour mark.

In the other match played it was a first leg victory for CAF competition debutants Milo FC of Guinea, who jumped out to a two-goal lead over Togo’s ASC Kara by halftime at the Stade General Lansana Conté in Conakry. However, ASCK hit back in the 83rd minute to give themselves what could be an important away goal for the return leg in Togo.

Saint Michel United of Seychelles were due to host Equatorial Guinea’s Inter Littoral Academy in Mauritius but the Equatoguinean team failed to show up. A decision will be made by CAF regarding the tie but based on past decisions it appears that the Seychellois club will advance without having to take the pitch.

Friday’s scores are below followed by highlights from Fasil Kenema’s win in Ethiopia.

Fasil Kenema (Ethiopia) 3-0 Bumamuru FC (Burundi

Buffles du Borgou (Benin) 0-1 Kallon FC (Sierra Leone)

Milo FC (Guinea) 2-1 ASC Kara (Togo)

Saint Michel United (Seychelles) vs. Inter Littoral Academy (Equatorial Guinea)- Not played after Inter Littoral Academy failed to show up

Fasil Kenema (Ethiopia) 3-0 Bumamuru FC (Burundi)