Army Royal secure CAF Confederation Cup group-stage place with late win

Army Royal booked their place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after beating Ivorian side Khrouhogo 2-1 in the second leg of their qualifying tie.

The Moroccan club advanced 2-1 on aggregate after the first match in Cote d’Ivoire ended goalless.

Army Royal made the ideal start at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, taking the lead after only six minutes when Youssef El Fahli converted a penalty.

Khrouhogo levelled in the 54th minute, leaving Army Royal at risk of being eliminated despite their early advantage.

But Anas Bach scored in the 84th minute to restore the hosts’ lead and settle the tie. The late goal secured qualification and prevented what would have been an early exit for the Moroccan side.

Army Royal will be placed in the first seeding pot for the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage draw, alongside Al Ahly.

The group-stage line-up also includes Tanzania’s Azam, Mali’s Real Bamako, Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, Libya’s Ahly Tripoli, South Africa’s Durban City and Mozambique’s Black Bulls.

Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Togo’s Kara and Tanzania’s Seginda have also qualified for the group stage, along with defending champions USM Alger of Algeria.

Army Royal’s progression followed a closely contested tie in which the two sides were separated by a single goal across the two matches. The Moroccan team’s first-leg clean sheet in Cote d’Ivoire proved significant, while their ability to score twice at home completed the turnaround after the visitors’ second-half equaliser.

The result confirms Army Royal’s place among the teams competing in the next phase of the Confederation Cup, with the club now set to join the other qualifiers in the group-stage draw.