Karamoko double drives ASEC to top spot, Mazembe hold Nouadhibou
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A Sankara Karamoko brace inspired ASEC Mimosas to a 2-0 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League triumph away to Botswana's Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday.
The prolific Ivorian striker struck in the second half to strengthen the visitors' position at the Group B summit heading into the midway stage of the campaign.
Karamoko opened the scoring on 57 minutes when he latched onto Mofosse Tresor's pass to slot ASEC ahead.
And the 20-year-old sealed victory late on with his second of the game courtesy of Serge Pokou's unselfish assist.
The result sends the resurgent Ivorians three points clear of Galaxy at the top of the table as they claimed a second win in three matches.
Jwaneng had sat level on points with Saturday's opponents before kick-off at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.
But Karamoko's clinical double secured a vital victory to catapult ASEC above their hosts.
Botswana outfit Galaxy stay second place in the group behind the high-flying Ivorians with Tanzanian side Simba in third place while Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca are bottom with no points.
But with ASEC hitting top gear, a place in the quarter-finals now looks well within their grasp in this wide open group.
The job is not yet complete with three rounds of matches still to play for Julien Chevalier's talented outfit.
Yet on this evidence few would bet against ASEC going all the way to clinch a first TotalEnergies Champions League crown since 1998.
Meanwhile, DR Congo giants TP Mazembe held Nouadhibou of Mauritania to a goalless in their Group A match on Saturday at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya in Nouakhott.
The result means Mazembe move to the top of the group with four points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns clash with Pyramids in the group's other game to be played on Sunday.
