Singida coach Papy Kimoto chats with Tusker goalie Ndinga after the match. Photo: Kennedy Mutunga.

Tusker will rue their missed chances after suffering 1-0 to Tanzania's Singinda Black Stars in the first leg of the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams settled quickly into the game, with the visitors looking comfortable on the ball as they exchanged short crisp passes. Nevertheless, Brewers were first to knock at Singinda's door post. Thanks to Alvin Mangeni driving run that saw Ian Simiyu's effort saved by goalie Yona Amos.

Host continued to push, getting a free kick after Koffi Ande was booked for a reckless tackle. Mangeni was a permanent threat on the left wing, giving Ande a hard time as Tusker won successive corners.

Scramble for the ball at the Singida's post as keeper Yona Amos takes hold of of it. Photo: Kennedy Mutunga.

After the water break Mangeni was at it again in the 24th minute, but his effort hit straight into Yona's hands.

This is even as Singinda slowly took hold of the midfield, using physical advantage to disrupt host's rhythm.

In the 31st minutes, Victor Mbaoma gifted Yona easy save while Jonathan Sowah headed wide from the visitors' first half meaningful chance.

As half time approached, Ian Simiyu appeared to have caught Singinda on the counter attack, only for the referee to stop play for handball in favour of the Tanzanian side.

Tusker's Eugine Ikutwa tries to contain Jeancy Mboma in a move that led to the goal. Photo: Kennedy Mutunga.

First half ended on a frustrating note for Tusker, with Joof receiving the yellow after a reckless tackle on Seydou Sacko.

On the resumption of the second half, both teams made changes as they searched for the opening goal.

 Five minutes into the second half, substitute Jeancy Mboma broke the stalemate. He collected Ahmed Pipino cross manoeuvred past Eugine Ikutwa and unleashes a low short from a distance. What Initially looked liked a cross slipped past Ndinga and into the net, gifting the visitors a vital away lead.

The goal unsettled Tusker, with Mboma continuing to wreck havoc down the left wing and forcing John Onyango to remain on hight alert.

On 64th minute , Henry David almost doubled Singinda's lead, but Ndinga reacted quickly to deny visitors another goal.

The match got tougher and physical as Ikutwa got cautioned after tussling Mboma.

Seydou Sacko congratulates Mboma after netting the opening goal. Photo: Kennedy Mutunga.

Tusker later lost a precious chance to level when Victor Mboma delayed shooting despite having a sight of the goal. A defender intervened to clear the ball.

Substitute Warsama Houssein brought in fresh energy into the Tusker's attack as they camped in visitors' half in search of an equaliser. Nevertheless, their late pressure yielded little, with two free kicks and a corner going unutilised. Abud Omar's final free kick went wide before the referee brought the contest to an end.

Meanwhile, Julien Mette said the team will bounce back by scoring two goals in Tanzania and on lack of power and speedy players. He said, "We can sum up here: Tusker is a good team but, Singida has top players."

Singida coach Papy Kimoto said that the game was far from over and that they will work hard to win the next tie.

The defeat leaves Tusker will a lot to do in the return leg. The Brewers must work on their finishing and avoid conceding if they want to to keep their group stage qualification alive.