USM Alger, Simba and Enyimba through to CAFCC group stages

by Staff Reporter

Monday Sep 23, 2024. 13:31

There were no major upsets on Sunday as USM Alger, Simba and Enyimba were some of the biggest names to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.

USM Alger overturned a 1-0 deficit as they beat Stade Tunisien 2-0 at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

Kevin Mondeko’s 75th-minute goal levelled the tie and an own-goal from Bilel Mejri in stoppage time ensured the 2022-23 champions’ passage to the main phase of the competition.

Simba proved too strong for Al Ahli Tripoli at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam after they came from behind to emerge 3-1 victors.

The visitors took a surprise lead in the 18th minute, but two goals before half-time from Denis Kibu (36′) and Leonel Ateba (45+1′) swung the game in favour of the Msimbazi Reds before Edwin Balua sealed the win in stoppage time.

Enyimba were one of three teams to progress on penalties after they edged Etoile Filante 3-2 in a tense shootout at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

This, after both legs ended in goalless draws, while a thrilling contest in Alexandria saw Al Masry defeat Al Hilal Benghazi 5-3 on penalties following a 5-5 aggregate scoreline.

Al Masry were trailing 3-2 from the first leg, but they triumphed 3-2 at the Borg El Arab Stadium and held their nerve in the shootout lottery to march on in the competition.

Meanwhile, debutants Stellenbosch booked their place in the group stages after holding AS Vita Club to a 1-1 draw at the Stade des Martyrs.

The Maroons sported a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and an away goal in Kinshasa put them firmly in the driver’s seat as they progressed to the group stages.

Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup results:

Simba 3-1 Al Ahli Tripoli

Dynamos 0-1 Orapa United

AS Vita Club 1-1 Stellenbosch

Saint-Eloi Lupopo 1-2 Bravos do Maquis

AS Otoho 2-1 Black Bulls

Enyimba 0-0 Etoile Filante

ASEC Mimosas 2-0 ASC Kara

Al Masry 3-2 Al Hilal Benghazi

ASC Jaraaf 3-0 RC Abidjan

USM Alger 2-0 Stade Tunisien