Sekhukhune United booked their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages for the first time with a 4-2 aggregate win over Saint Eloi Lupopo in the second preliminary round.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Lupopo 1 (2)- (4) 1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 01 October 2023
Venue: Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote
Sekhukhune made wholesale changes to the side that lost against Kaizer Chiefs, as Edwin Gyimah, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and Sibusiso Vilakazi were some of the returnees while the likes of Vusumuzi Mncube, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Nyiko Mobbie started from the bench.
Babina Noko were under pressure in the early stages, as they were pinned back in their own half by Lupopo, who were fired up after losing the first-leg 3-1.
The Congolese side were eventually awarded a penalty on 19 minutes and Emmanuel Bola gave them the lead from the spot-kick and reduced the deficit to 2-3 on aggregate.
Brandon Truter charges started to threaten going forward after the half-hour mark but they were struggling with the final pass and after absorbing the pressure towards the end of the first stanza, went to the break trailing 1-0 but were 3-2 ahead on aggregate.
Truter made attacking changes at half-time as he brought on Pogiso Mahlangu and Tiklas Thutlwa who both replaced Miguel Dias and Ntiya-Ntiya.
The changes had the desired impact for Sekhukhune, as Thutlwa levelled matters on the hour-mark and gave Babina Noko a 4-2 lead on aggregate.
Sekhukhune got stuck in after that but they showed attacking intentions with 15 minutes to go, as Mncube replaced Elias Mokwana for fresh legs upfront.
Lupopo pressurized the Limpopo side in the dying minutes with successive corners but Sekhukhune held firm and a 1-1 draw was enough to see them through to the group stages with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Here's how they lines up:
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Mkhabela, Ntiya-Ntiya, Tshibwabwa,a Gyimah, Diaz, Mkhize, Bwalya, Ohizu, Vilakazi, Mokwana
Subs: Sangare, Masiya, Mabotja, Rikhotso, Mokotjo, Mosadi, Thutlwa, Ncube, Mahlangu
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