Algeria will have only one representative in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after JS Saoura were eliminated by Horoya, while Cote d’Ivoire advanced with both of its clubs.
JS Saoura travelled to Conakry holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg, but Horoya overturned the deficit with a 3-1 victory at the Stade du 28 Septembre on Sunday. The Guinean side progressed 3-2 on aggregate, leaving MC Alger as the only Algerian club still involved after their qualification the previous day.
Horoya took the lead in the 17th minute before JS Saoura levelled through Ilyes Faical Haddouche, who headed home in the 72nd minute. The visitors were unable to hold on, however, conceding again in the 90th minute before a stoppage-time penalty in the 90th+2 minute completed the turnaround.
Lotfi Boudraa’s side, known as the Aigles du Sahara, therefore exited the competition at the first preliminary-round stage.
ASEC Mimosas and FC San Pedro progress
Cote d’Ivoire secured a perfect record in the ties involving its clubs, with ASEC Mimosas and FC San Pedro both reaching the next round.
ASEC Mimosas had drawn 1-1 away to ASC Kara in the first leg a week earlier. The Ivorian side fell behind shortly before half-time at the Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny, when the Togolese visitors scored in the 45th minute.
Julien Chevalier’s team responded after the break and claimed a 2-1 win in Abidjan. Sou D’Avila Junior scored twice from the penalty spot, converting in the 59th and 68th minutes, to send ASEC Mimosas through. Their next opponents will be MAS Fes.
FC San Pedro also progressed, but only after a tense conclusion against Rivers United in Uyo, Nigeria. The second leg finished 2-2, allowing the Ivorian club to advance on the away-goals rule after the first match had ended 1-1.
The visitors appeared to have put themselves in a strong position by establishing a two-goal lead by the 19th minute. Rivers United reduced the deficit in the 43rd minute, before an 88th-minute penalty brought the Nigerian side level.
Despite conceding twice, FC San Pedro held on to secure its place in the second preliminary round. The club will face Mauritanian side Nouadhibou in the next stage.