More than fifty thousand Madagascan football faithfuls went home in sorrow as Kaizer Chiefs ace striker Collins Mbesuma slotted home the only goal of the game with 15 minutes of the match remaining in this rain soaked CAF Champions League clash at the municipal stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Sunday.

Mbesuma converted a rebound after the Madagascan goalkeeper failed to control a shot from Cyril Nzama. Nzama had received a brilliant pass from substitute Gerald Sibeko who was hardly a minute on the field after coming on for winger Arthur Zwane.

“This win is all we were looking for and I thank the boys for responding positively to the instructions of play under such bad pitch conditions worsened by the rain and it will be very interesting how things will be back in South Africa in two weeks”, said an elated Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru.

The game was played in front of an overflowing 50 000 capacity stadium after local supporters broke the gates down and forced their way into the stadium, following public announcements about the lack of space because the game had been sold out.

Angry spectators forced and squeezed their way into the packed stadium resulting in casualties of children and a few adults who were trapped in an apparent stampede at the gates. There was very little the handful of local police could do, but to watch and secure the players and VIP sections of the stadium.

Chiefs host USJF Ravinala in two weeks at the Olympia Stadium in Rustenburg. Details will be released soon. It will be a steep hill to climb for the islanders in South Africa judging by their style of play.

Starting line up: Rowen Fernandez, Cyril Nzama, Patrick Mabedi, Fabian McCarthy, Nhlanhla Kubheka, Tenashe Nengomashe, Arthur Zwane (Gerald Sibeko), John Mosheou, Thabo Mooki, Collins Mbesuma (Siphiwe Mkhonza) and David Radebe