Aboubacar Bangoura scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. The Sudanese side, staging the “home” fixture in Rwanda, held that advantage through the second half as Power Dynamos failed to find an equaliser.
The Zambian champions had arrived in Kigali on Friday night aboard RwandAir and were seeking a result that would ease the return leg. Instead they leave with a deficit and no away goal. They must now win in the second leg, or at least score twice in a draw that would still leave them needing extra time or penalties depending on the aggregate.
Al Merreikh’s win was one of Saturday’s tighter Champions League first legs. Club Africain also won 1-0 at home to Djoliba, while Rivers United and Young Africans both drew 1-1 on the road. A single-goal lead is useful but not decisive. Power Dynamos reached the group stage last season and remain capable of overturning this scoreline on home soil.
The winner of the tie is due to meet either JS Saoura or Horoya in the next qualifying round. For Al Merreikh, Bangoura’s penalty is a platform built in exile. For Power Dynamos, the first task in the return is to score. Saturday in Kigali belonged to the Sudanese club. The argument is only half finished.