Sudanese teams Al Hilal and El Merreikh achieved a historical feat over the weekend when they reached the group stages of the CAF champions league. But it is Algeria who showed their might with three teams in the last eight. Smouha who are making their first appearance in the competition will represent Egypt in the group stage after giants Al Ahly were knocked out by Moroccan champions Moghreb Tetouan. Sudanese teams Al Hilal qualified after comprehensive 2 nil aggregate win over Sanga Balende while El Merreikh knocked out Tunisian giants Esperance. DRC’s TP Mazembe and Algerian sides Setif, Eulma and Alger complete the last eight.
Two North African giants, who have been tipped to progress to the next stage of the competition, shockingly crashed out, while Algeria remain the only nation with three representatives moving to the next round. Eight-time record winners Al Ahly of Egypt fell to Moroccoan champions Moghreb Tetouan after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, after the game had ended in a 1-1 draw.
Despite a 2-1 win at home in Rades, Tunisian giants Esperance, were knocked out by Sudan’s Al Merreikh on away goal rule when the aggregate score stood at 2-2.
Another clash settled by a penalty shootout was the ES Setif (Algeria) – Raja Casablanca (Morocco), which eventually went in favour of Setif. Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and MC El Eulma of Algeria also had to settle for a penalty shootout, with the Algerians eventually standing taller.
Full Results:
Teams in bold have qualified
ES Setif (Algeria) – Raja Casablanca (Morocco) 4-1 on penalties
Smouha SC (Egypt) – AC Leopards (Congo) 2-0 (1st leg 0-1)
Al Ahly (Egypt) – Moghreb Tetouan (Morocco) 2 – 4 on penalties
TP Mazembe (RD Congo) – Stade Malien (Mali) 2-1 (1st leg 2-2)
Esperance Tunis (Tunisia) – Al Merreikh (Sudan) 2-1 (1st leg 0-1)
AS Kaloum (Guinea) – USM Alger (Algeria) 1-1 (1st leg 1-2)
Al Hilal (Sudan) – Sanga Balende (DR Congo) 1-0 (1st leg 1-0)
CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – MC El Eulma (Algeria) 6-7 on penalties
