GABORONE, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Botswana league champions Jwaneng Galaxy were off to an excellent start of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League when they walloped USD Zilimadjou of the Comoros 4-0 in the first leg of the preliminary round played at the Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Resaobaka Thatanyane and Isaac Paeye in the first half and another two goals from Thero Setsile and Lemogang Maswena in the second half were enough to hand the Botswana side their first-ever win in the continental competition and make a big stride to qualify for the next round of the qualifiers.
Despite not having played competitive football for almost eight months after the Botswana Premier League came to an abrupt end due to the coronavirus in February, Galaxy were the better side throughout the match, attacking from the first whistle and putting their opponent on the backpedal. They got the opening goal in the 28th minute courtesy of an attacking display orchestrated by captain Thero Setsile and finished by Thatanyane. Paeye made it 2-0 just before halftime capitalizing on the visitors' shoddy defensive work to clear a corner.
Setsile put the game to bed with a third against the run of play in the second half before substitute Maswena made it four.
Speaking at the end of the match, Galaxy coach Sikalame Keatlholetswe said he was happy with his team's display after a long layoff without competitions. However, he said they need to be more clinical in attack as they could have scored more goals from the chances created.
Galaxy will depart for the Comoros on Tuesday to play the second leg match, with the winner progressing to face former champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. Enditem
