NAIROBI, February 27 – GOtv Shield Champions Sofapaka were bundled out of CAF Confederations Cup at the preliminary round after going down 4-2 on aggregate to Zimbabweans FC Platinum.
Sofapaka who needed a two-goal-victory to advance to the first round were on the receiving end on another 2-1 loss in the return leg played in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Batoto Ba Mungu’s lethal striker Abdul Fiston Razak gave the visitors an early lead on the 11th minute to level the aggregate scores but Wisdom Mutasa scored a brace after finding the back of the net on each half to break the Cup holders’ dreams of repeating their 2011 run in the competition when they bowed out at the group stage play-offs.
Sofapaka head coach Sam Timbe made four changes to the squad that played in the first leg with Everiste Mutuyimana staring in between the sticks benching David Okello while defenders Collins Shivachi and Elly Esieche came on for Willis Ouma and Patrick Kagogo.
The hosts began with a threatening attack from Walter Munsona but Sofapaka stopper Felly Mulumba cleared the danger moments before Razak, who scored the consolation goal in Nairobi in a 2-1 home loss, piled pressure on Platinum when he found the back of the net.
The lead only lasted only four minutes with Mutasa restoring parity at the quarter hour mark from close range.
Musona continued to terrorize the Kenyans defence after exchanging passes with Mutasa before setting Brian Muzondiwa who saw his free header go over the bar as both sides were locked at one-all draw at the break.
Mutasa completed his double on the 54th to give his control of the game to the final whistle.
Platinum will now face Tanzania titans Young Africans in the first round.
