Moroccan side, AS FAR have emerged the biggest casualty of the preliminary round of the Orange CAF Champions League.
The 1985 winners were axed from the competition after managing a 1-1 draw with AS Real of mali in the second leg encounter on Saturday in Bamako. The Malians advanced on the away goal rule after a 3-3 tie.
Souleymane Coulibaly scored for the hosts after six minutes before Salaheddine Aqqal equalized for the visitors on 50 minutes, but it was little enough to ensure their continued stay in the competition.
The Moroccans started on a bright note but it was AS Real, which managed to score first. On six minutes, Coulibaly volleyed home from a Moussa Doumbia free-kick to give the homers a lone-goal lead at half time.
The 12-time Moroccan champions resumed the second half more purposeful and Aqqal leveled five minutes from recess capitalizing on a blunder by AS Real defender Amadou Tembely.
The hosts were in control for the remainder of the game, but failed in their quest to score the winner.
Reactions
Mohamed Camara (captain, AS Real)
“I’m happy and at the same time disappointed with the result. We have a lot of chances but in the end we only scored one goal.”
Khaled Mahdi (Coach, AS FAR)
“We are disappointed with the result. In the first half we had chances to score. We dominated in the first half and should have scored. We did not deserve to be eliminated.”
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate