Controversial late penalty sends Plateau United out of CAF Champions League in Tunisia
Plateau United have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League following a 1-0 controversial defeat to four-time winners Espérance in Tunisia on Saturday evening.
Nigerian club, Plateau United came from behind to defeat the Tunisian side 2-1 in the first leg of the second preliminary round fixture in Abuja last week.
The Jos-based club only needed a draw to secure a spot in the main competition but were denied the opportunity by a late penalty goal.
Espérance dominated most parts of the second leg encounter.
The hosts found the back of the net in the nervy first half but it was ruled out for an offside as the first half ended goalless at the Hammedi Agrebi Olympic Stadium.
Espérance continued their dominance in the second half of the match but Plateau United gave them no chance of putting the ball past goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso.
The controversial decision came less than 10 minutes when the centre referee awarded Espérance a penalty kick for an infringement on one of the hosts’ players that apparently occurred outside the 18-yard box.
Ben Romdhane converted the penalty kick and sent the Tunisia side to the group stage of the tournament.
Plateau United will now proceed to the playoff of the CAF Confederation Cup for a chance to feature in the group stage of the second tier competition in this campaign.
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