Kaizer Chiefs secured a commendable 1-0 win over PWD Bamenda in the 2020/21 Caf Champions League preliminary round first-leg match at Stade Omnisport de Limbe on Sunday afternoon.
The only goal of the encounter was netted by Erick Mathoho in the dying minutes of the match as Amakhosi marked their return to continental football with a victory.
Amakhosi were keen to return to winning ways after extending their winless run to five matches across all competitions when they lost 1-0 to Swallows FC in midweek.
Coach Gavin Hunt opted for experienced players with Itumelang Khune starting in goal, while Erick Mathoho made his return to the starting line-up and Leonardo Castro spearheaded the attack.
Meanwhile, Bamenda were playing their first competitive match of the 2020/21 season with the Cameroonian Elite One Championship yet to start.
Coach David Pagou deployed John Bosco Nchindo upfront just in front of the team captain Louis Enjonei Mbah, who is a former Cameroon under-23 international.
Chiefs were put under pressure by the home side, who were pushing for an early goal in order to unsettle the visitors' defence in the opening exchanges.
However, Khune was alert all times between the sticks for the Soweto giants as he dealt well with the shots taken by the hosts and crosses which were played into the box for Nchindo.
Chiefs were able to weather the storm in first-half and the score was 0-0 at the half-time break.
Mael Dindjeke, who is a striker by trade, was introduced by Pagou prior to the start of the second-half as the home side looked to break the deadlock.
However, the reigning Cameroonian champions were frustrated by Amakhosi's resolute defending and with Khune ensuring that his defence is switched on at all times.
Hunt pulled out Castro and introduced Lebogang Manyama with 13 minutes left on the clock as the visitors looked to snatch an important away goal.
The move paid off as Manyama grabbed an assist when he set up Mathoho, who beat Bamenda goalkeeper Haschou Kerrido to make it 1-0 to Chiefs in the 84th minute.
The hosts then upped the tempo and they were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute after Daniel Cardoso had committed a foul in the box.
However, Khune, who was in his element on the day, denied Derrick Burinyuy from the spot-kick to ensure that Chiefs ran out 1-0 winners over Bamenda on the day.
The two teams are set to meet in the second-leg encounter on December 4 in South Africa.
The winner on aggregate is scheduled to face Angolan side CD Primeiro de Agosto in the first round tie.
