Football
KweséESPN Reporter 7y

Holders Mamelodi Sundowns into CAF Champions League quarterfinals

A late goal from talisman Anthony Laffor away in Ethiopia on Saturday ensured progress for holders Mamelodi Sundowns through to the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, where they are joined by Tunisian pair of Esperance and Etoile Sahel.

Sundowns beat Saint George in Addis Ababa with the Liberia international netting five minutes from time.

Combined with Esperance's 2-2 draw against AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sundowns are now ensured of progress as they moved three points clear of their Ethiopian opponents.

Even if Sundowns lose their last game and the Ethiopians win away in Rades, the reigning champions will progress by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Esperance's point on Saturday ended Vita's remote hopes of the knockouts and sees them hold onto top spot in Group C with nine points, one more than Sundowns.

Taha Yassine Khenissi again scored two away goals for the Tunisian giants, including a 59th-minute penalty to equalise after Vita had led 2-1 at half-time.

Tady Etekiama netted both for the home side but they had Makwekwe Kupa sent off after giving away the penalty and saw their hopes fade after that.

Slim Ben Belgacem converted an 84th-minute penalty to give Etoile du Sahel a 1-1 draw away in Mozambique against Ferroviario Beira, who had gone ahead in the 72nd minute through Chelito Omar.

Etoile have nine points and are guaranteed to progress, although not yet in top place in Group A. Victory at home against Sudan's Al-Merreikh next Friday could set up a quarterfinal showdown with Downs.

Group D will go down to the last round of matches next weekend after Al-Ahly held leaders Zanaco to a goalless draw in Ndola, and Achraf Bencharki and Nami Aarab scored for Wydad Casablanca as they inflicted another defeat on hapless Coton Sport of Cameroon.

For Zanaco it was a missed opportunity, but they are still top with 11 points. Wydad are second with nine and record winners Al Ahly on eight.

The group will be decided next Saturday when Wydad host Zanaco and Coton Sport travel to Egypt to face Ahly.

If Zanaco lose and Ahly win, Wydad will top the group and goal difference will decide whether the Egyptian giants or the Zambian upstarts go through in second place.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, a pair of penalties ensured progress from Group C for rookies Al Hilal Obayed as they beat Recreativo Libolo of Angola 2-0. They were converted by first Muhannad Tahir and then Ivorian import Cheick Moukoro.

The Sudanese club are now the second side through after Mouloudia Alger clinched their quarterfinal place on Friday

Guinea's Horoya stayed top of Group D by two points after a home draw with SuperSport United of South Africa but could lose that advantage next weekend.

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