14.02.2015 12:50 h

Former champions Raja in four-goal romp

Moroccan club Raja Casablanca made an impressive 2015 CAF Champions League debut this weekend by winning 4-0 against Congolese visitors Diables Noirs.

A couple of late goals sealed a convincing preliminary round, first leg victory for the three-time African champions, with Adil Karrouchy and Abdeljalil Jbira scoring in stoppage time.

Ivorian Kouko Guehi put the 1989, 1997 and 1999 title-winners ahead on 10 minutes and Nigerian Christian Osaguona doubled the advantage after 70 minutes.

Raja should comfortably survive the return match in Brazzaville this month to set up a potential round-of-32 blockbuster with South Africans Kaizer Chiefs.

Moghreb Tetouan, the other Moroccan challengers for the biggest African club football prize, are in trouble after a 2-0 loss to CO Bamako in Mali.

Abdallah Diarra was the two-goal Bamako star, converting an early second-half penalty and scoring from a free kick that caught goalkeeper Mohammed El-Yousfi napping.

Defeat continues a run of disappointing international results for Moghreb, who were shocked by New Zealanders Auckland City last December in the Club World Cup in Morocco.

Al-Ahly Tripoli edged Egyptians Smouha 1-0 in a fixture moved to Tunis because of escalating Libyan unrest.

Mohamed Al-Ghannoudi converted an early second-half penalty for Ahly, who are coached by former Dutch World Cup star Ruud Krol.

Ghanaians Asante Kotoko received a walkover when cash-strapped Sierra Leoneans East End Lions withdrew.

The 24-fixture preliminary round schedule continues later Saturday.