ABIDJAN – A stoppage-time goal from Kako Rostan squeezed Sewe San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire into the last-16 of the CAF Champions League this weekend despite a 3-1 loss at Al-Hilal of Sudan.

Hilal were leading 3-0 in steamy Omdurman and ahead on the away-goal rule after a 4-1 first-leg loss when Rostan struck on 92 minutes to book his team a date with FUS Rabat of Morocco or Union Douala of Cameroon.

The vastly experienced Sudanese had patiently chipped away at the three-goal advantage held by African lightweights Sewe with Mohamed al-Tahir scoring in the first half and Mohamed Bisha and Mohamed Traore after the break.

Defeat was a massive blow for Hilal, a club used to progressing much further in African competitions, who have been Champions League semi-finalists three times in the past six seasons. 

Sewe, who comfortably disposed of Guineans Horoya in the preliminary round last month while Hilal received a bye, were eliminated in the first round during a previous appearance six years ago.

Entente Setif of Algeria also advanced to the final qualifying round thanks to a 4-2 victory over Burkina Faso visitors ASFA Yennenga, who took a 2-1 lead into the return encounter. 

A late Yennenga rally brought goals from Yacouba Ouedraogo and Simplice Yameogo, but a third goal, which would have given the Ouagadougou club a stunning success, eluded them. 

Kano Pillars of Nigeria are likely to face Setif for a place in the lucrative group phase of the premier African club competition having built a 4-1 first-leg advantage at home three weeks ago against AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville.

Agencies