Mazembe reach the African Champions League group phase

Nathan Sinkala celebrates after scoring against Al Merreikh
Nathan Sinkala celebrates after scoring against Al Merreikh

Four-time champions TP Mazembe booked their place in the group phase of the African Champions League when drawing in Sudan.

The Congolese side forced a 1-1 draw at Al Merreikh on Saturday night to go through 3-1 on aggregate.

Zambia's Nathan Sinkala gave Mazembe the lead after 56 minutes, with Kelechi Osunwa equalising 15 minutes from time.

Joining Mazembe in the Champions League last eight are Algeria's ASO Chlef and Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.

Chlef's victory completed a disappointing weekend for Sudanese clubs as they knocked out Al Hilal on penalties.

The game in Algeria ended 1-1, with Alaa Eldin Yousif opening the scoring for the visitors before Karim Hadji scored an 81st-minute equaliser to leave the scores level at 2-2.

That took the game to penalties, where the Algerians triumphed 4-2 in the shoot-out to book their place in the group phase for the first time.

Elsewhere, the defending champions also made it through, as Tunisians Esperance drew 1-1 against Dynamos in Zimbabwe on Sunday to ease into the group phase with a 7-1 aggregate win.

Former champions Etoile Sahel also progressed, despite a 1-0 loss at AFAD Djekanou of Ivory Coast.

Having won the first leg 4-1 in Tunisia, Etoile were never in much danger - even when Henri Konan scored for the Ivorians on the hour mark.

"From the start of the match there was a chance of qualification," disappointed AFAD coach Amani Yao told BBC Sport.

We were facing a team that has its weak points, notably on the wings, something we saw in the away leg.

"We know that in the first half we lacked a certain effectiveness in the final 20 metres, and we weren't in front of goal enough. We needed more people there to profit from the chances we created. Unfortunately things didn't work.

"I don't have a great deal to say in terms of criticism - we played well - we lack power and experience against these types of players and we need to carry on working, but we've still got plenty of progress to make."

On Sunday, Zamalek of Egypt host North African rivals MAS of Morocco, leading 2-0 from the first leg, while Nigerians Sunshine Stars take on Djoliba of Mali with the tie balanced at 1-1.

Elsewhere, Coton Sport host Berekum Chelsea of Ghana in Cameroon - with both teams looking for their first goal of the tie.

In a delayed tie, six-time African champions Al Ahly play Stade Malien of Mali on Tuesday as the Egyptians look to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

Source: BBC SPORT

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