Nigeria’s sole representatives in the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League, Rivers United, on Sunday crashed out after succumbing to a lone-goal defeat in the hands of Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman in Egypt.

The Sudanese side booked a slot in the group stages after a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Rivers United.

Al Hilal went through 2-1 on aggregate, with the first leg away from home having ended in a 1-1 draw.

Playing their home matches at the Suez Stadium in Egypt, Al Hilal went all out to secure their place in the groups, and they did so as early as the third minute of the game.

Yaser Muzamil scored the lone goal of the match as they held on to the vital scoreline all game, with Rivers United now dropping to the Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, 2016 Champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance du Tunis, Guinea’s Horoya AC, Morocco’s Wydad Club Athletic, and the Algerian duo of CR Belouizdad and ES Setif all made it to the group stages of the competition.

At the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns beat DR Congo’s AS Maniema 2-0 on the afternoon and 4-2 on aggregate to progress to the group phase.

Lyle Lakay and Peter Shalulile scored the goals in either half for Masandawana as they progressed to the group stages for the seventh consecutive time.

Lakay broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when he curled a brilliant freekick beyond the wall.

Sundowns doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Namibian international Shalulile reacted quickest after the Maniema keeper had spilt a cross from Lakay.

Despite concerted pressure from the visitors, the Brazilians comfortably saw off the scoreline to sail through.

In Rades, four-time champions Esperance du Tunis endured tough resistance from Libyan champions Al Ittihad before winning 1-0 and progressing to the group phase. The first leg between the two sides had ended barren.

(NAN)