Ligue des champions CAF: JS Saoura exit as Cote d’Ivoire sends both clubs through

Algeria will have only one representative in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after JS Saoura were eliminated by Horoya on Sunday.

JS Saoura took a narrow 1-0 lead into the second leg in Guinea, but lost 3-1 at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry. Horoya therefore progressed with a 3-2 aggregate victory, meaning Algeria missed out on having two clubs in the next round after MC Alger’s qualification the previous day.

Lotfi Boudraa’s side fell behind in the 17th minute, but Ilyes Faical Haddouche brought them level in the 72nd minute with a headed finish. The Aigles du Sahara then conceded twice in the closing stages, with Horoya restoring their lead in the 90th minute before adding a decisive penalty in the second minute of stoppage time.

Cote d’Ivoire, by contrast, will have both of its representatives in the second preliminary round after ASEC Mimosas and FC San Pedro secured qualification.

ASEC Mimosas overturned a first-leg deficit against ASC Kara, having drawn 1-1 in Togo a week earlier. The Ivorian side won the return match 2-1 at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan under manager Julien Chevalier.

The hosts were caught out just before half-time when the Togolese team scored in the 45th minute. ASEC Mimosas responded in the 59th minute, before Sou D’Avila Junior completed the turnaround with his second penalty of the match in the 68th minute.

ASEC Mimosas will face MAS Fes in the next round.

FC San Pedro also advanced, although they were pushed to the final moments by Rivers United in Uyo, Nigeria. The match ended 2-2, but FC San Pedro progressed under the away-goals rule after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

The Ivorian club had appeared to take control by establishing a two-goal advantage by the 19th minute. Rivers United reduced the deficit in the 43rd minute and then levelled from the penalty spot in the 88th minute, setting up a tense finish.

FC San Pedro will meet Mauritanian club Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round.