Mozambique-based Terrence Tisdell will play in the first-round qualifiers of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup after his side, Costa do Sol, qualified from the preliminary round at the expense of Botswana Premier League club, Jwaneng Galaxy Football Club on a 2-0 aggregate.

Costa do Sol went into the return leg with the advantage after grabbing a 1-0 win in Mozambique on February 10. Terrence Tisdell scored the only goal for the Mozambican FA Cup and Super Cup defending champions at home. The former FC Fassell winger scored in the 88^th minute to send Costa do Sol to the return leg with the lead.

During the away game, Mozambique international striker Isac de Carvalho scored the only goal in the 21^st minute to give Costa do Sol an important lead away from home.

The goal scored away from home put the home side in a difficult position as they needed to score three goals to get past their Mozambican counterparts. However, they were unable to find the back of the net as the match ended with another narrow 1-0 defeat.

Some fans have thought Costa do Sol’s back-to-back victory over Jwaneng Galaxy meant the tie was an easy one for the Mozambican, but Tisdell said the two games were some of the most difficult game played in the preliminary round. He told The Bush Chicken it wasn’t an easy task.

“While it’s true we managed to get back-to-back wins, it was a real test for us,” the 19-year-old forward said. “Galaxy is an experienced team with lots of mature players. They have lots of national team players in their squad that could damage us at any time. It’s just because of God and our hard work that we were able to conquer them.”

Tisdell has already registered two goals in three competitive matches for his new club and is hoping his fine form extends to the first-round qualifiers when Costa do Sol takes on Cape Town City Football Club of the South African ABSA Premiership. Despite admitting that the upcoming encounter will be difficult, Tisdell believes his side will go through to the next round.

“We are ready for the match,” he said. “They are more physical on the pitch and we’ll play fast football. It’s going to be a really exciting match, but I can assure you we will go through. The most important thing is that we play away first. We will do our best and return home with positive results and build on it in the return leg in Mozambique.”

Featured Photo Courtesy of Terrence Tisdell