Vipers tormentors FC Nouadhibou complete comeback to reach group stage
David GOMBE
Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou completed a remarkable comeback to beat Cote d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro 2-0 on Sunday night to reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate win.
The Mauritanian champions lost the first leg meeting 2-1 in San Pedro and needed a win to advance to the group stages of the prestigious African competition at the Cheikha Ould Bedia Stadium.
Kartier Dembele gave Nouadhibou the lead in the 10th minute, before Cheikh Hattab doubled their lead to secure the needed victory and reach the group stage for the second time in their history.
Nouadhibou eliminated Uganda’s Vipers SC in the previous round on away goals rule after a 1-1 aggregate score over two legs.
Meanwhile, Sudanese giants Al Hilal prevailed to the group stage with a 2-0 win over Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda to qualify with an aggregate 4-0 victory.
Ernest Luzolo Sita and Mohamed Abdel Rahman scored the two goals for Al Hilal while Tunisian giants Club Africain returned to the Group Stage for the first time since 2018-19 season, after recording a remarkable victory over 5-time champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
Club Africain returned from Lubumbashi with a valuable 1-1 draw last weekend and completed the job at Hamadi Agrebi Stadium on Sunday to reach the all-important Group Stage.