Sekhukhune United are through to CAF Confederation Cup group stages in their debut continental season, after drawing 1-1 with Saint Eloi Lupopo in their second leg qualifier at the Stade Des Martyrs, to win 4-2 on aggregate.
They will join SuperSport United who reached the group stages on Friday with a 4-1 aggregate win over Gaborone United
Brandon Truter’s side had won the first leg in South Africa 3-1, with Chibuike Ohizu, Jamie Webber and Tresor Tshibabwa grabbing their goals.
But in Kinshasa, things did not go according to planned. As expected, Saint Eloi were quick to put the visitors gun on siege, and it paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute after Ndongala Makonzo was adjudged to have been fouled. Manu Bola stepped up to make it 1-0.
Sekhukhune were able to hold out until half-time and at the break the Congolese club led by a goal, but still trailed by one on aggregate.
Lupopo continued to control the possession, looking for that all important goal that would swing the tie in their favour.
But it was Truter’s team who would strike as substitute Tiklas Thutlwa found the back of the net on the hour mark to level matters, and make it 4-2 to Sekhukhune on aggregate.
Lupopo’s relentless attacks continued but the Sekhukhune defence stood firm and the continental debutants booked their place in the group stages.
