ZIMBABWE international defender Alec Mudimu’s Welsh side CEFN Druids were denied a victory at home in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round against Lithuanian side FK Trakai on Thursday evening.
Wales’ oldest club are featuring in the tournament for the second time in their history, having qualified as Welsh Premier League play-off winners in May.
And the Warriors defender, who normally plays in midfield for his club, made his debut European inter-club appearance.
CEFN Druids were held to a 1-1 draw at the New Saints’ Park Hall after Trakai levelled terms with four minutes to go.
Mudimu’s side had grabbed a deserved 48th minute lead when James Davies’ close-range effort nestled into the corner of the net.
The Welsh club will have to dig deeper in the away leg at Lithuania’s Altus Stadium next Thursday if they still entertain hopes of progressing to the next stage where FC Irtysh Pavlodar of Kazakhstan are waiting.
According to local media reports, the Welsh side, affectionately known as the Ancients, looked compact and assured throughout, and were never overawed by the occasion.
“Plenty of positives to take to the second leg. We go again and give it everything,’’ Mudimu said on Twitter.
The Warriors defender was heavily involved in the match against opponents, who are currently in the midst of their domestic season, and were naturally fitter than Druids.
And there was late heartbreak as Kazlauskas’ sweetly-struck half volley flew into the net off the far post to deny the hosts the win.
Mudimu starred for the Warriors during the COSAFA Cup in South Africa recently where he partnered Kelvin Moyo in the heart of defence.
He is likely to become a key member of Sunday Chidzambwa’s team when the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume in September. – Online/Sports Reporter.
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