Saturday

Mukura 1-0 Al Hilal (1-3 aggregate)

Despite their elimination from CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Sudanese side Al Hilal Omdurman, head coach Francis Haringingo has hailed his Mukura Victory Sports players for honorably representing the country, and tipped them for a ‘brighter’ future.

The Huye-based side bowed out of the continental showpiece with a 3-1 deficit on aggregate, despite winning the return-leg 1-0 at Huye Stadium on Saturday.

Forward Bertrand Iradukunda put Mukura ahead in the 28th minute, and the home team pressed further to try and overturn the 3-0 first-leg defeat but the comeback fell just short as the Sudanese giants held on for the result they needed to be in the hat for the play-off round.

"Of cause I am disappointed that we didn’t make it to the group stage, but I must salute my players for they gave their best to win the game. Luck was not just on our side,” said Haringingo.

"I am truly happy with the effort of the players. They did very well.”

The black-and-yellow outfit had several goal opportunities from Hussein Ciza, Iradukunda, Christophe Ndayishimiye and Gael Duhayindavyi, but were all thwarted by the Al Hilal’s goalie Salim Magoola.

In a separate interview, Al Hilal coach Irad Zaafouri said, "We had a clear game plan and it worked so well. We played against a very good team with talented players, so we knew the game was going to be difficult.”

Mukura VS had reached the playoffs round – for the first time ever – last month after edging out Hilal Obayed of Sudan, 5-4 in penalty shootouts following a goalless draw in regular time.

The exit from Africa’s second biggest club competition marked the end of the journey for what has been Mukura’s best campaign in continental football.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw