Betway Premiership side Sekhukhune United crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup in the second round of the preliminary stage after losing to CD Lunda Sul on the away-goals rule.
Sekhukhune won the home tie 2-1, with new signing Keletso Makgalwa scoring a brace at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
However, the win was not enough as Sekhukhune were eliminated on the away goal rule after the two-legged match finished 2-2 on aggregate.
Babina Noko locked horns with Lunda Sul in the second-leg of the preliminary round, looking to make it to the group stages.
In the first-leg, the Angolan side defeated Sekhukhune 1-0 in their own backyard last weekend to take the advantage going into the second-leg in SA.
The Limpopo-based side is in the Confederation Cup for the second season in a row after qualifying for the 2023/24 showpiece. Last season, Sekhukhune fell shot in the group stages of the tournament.
Heading into this Confederation Cup encounter, Sekhukhune signed Sipho Mbule on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns for the 2024/25 season.
The highly-rated midfielder has extensive experience in continental football, having participated in the CAF Champions League in the past two seasons with Downs.
Sekhukhune had an impressive start to the match against Lunda Sul after dominating the ball position. However, they could not convert their scoring opportunities.
MAKGALWA BREAKS THE DEADLOCK FOR SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
In the 25th minute, Keletso Makgalwa broke the deadlock for the Lehlohonolo Seema-coached to make it 1-0 and 1-1 on aggregate.
Makgaka opened his scoring account for the season after joining Sekhukhune in the off-season from the Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC.
Meanwhile, Lunda Sul equalised in the 34th minute to level the match at half-time on a 1-1 scoreline. Lunda Sul led 2-1 on aggregate with an important away goal.
In an effort to overturn the scoreline, Sekhukhune pushed for an equalising goal, playing positive football in the opponents’ half.
Makgalwa netted his second goal with a long-range strike in the 65th minute, giving Sekhukhune a 2-1 lead and making it 2-2 on aggregate.
Despite the win, Sekhukhune’s journey in the CAF Confederation Cup came to an end after the hosts lost out on the away-goal rule. The match finished 2-2 on aggregate.
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