Al Madina treble spurs Sudanese to glory

AFP,  JOHANNESBURG: Bakry Al Madina scored a hat-trick as Al Merrikh of Sudan trounced Rivers United of Nigeria 4-0 this weekend to snatch a CAF Champions League group place.
Merrikh qualified 4-3 on aggregate for the mini-league phase after a dramatic recovery from a three-goal first leg loss last weekend in the last-32 tie. Experienced African campaigner Al Madina opened the scoring after eight minutes in Omdurman and completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time.
Substitute Mohamed Abdulrahman scored the fourth Sudanese goal 18 minutes from time with his first touch of the ball. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to draw 1-1 with Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda and advance 3-2 on aggregate.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma scored his fourth goal in as many Champions League matches to give the Ugandans a half-time lead. Staring elimination on away goals, Sundowns salvaged a draw 10 minutes from time thanks to a shot into the roof of the net from Liberian Anthony Laffor.
Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, who reached the semi-finals last year, edged Mounana of Gabon 5-4 on penalties after losing 1-0 in Libreville.

 

Al Madina treble spurs Sudanese to glory

AFP, JOHANNESBURG: Bakry Al Madina scored a hat-trick as Al Merrikh of Sudan trounced Rivers United of Nigeria 4-0 this weekend to snatch a CAF Champions League group place. Merrikh qualified 4-3 on aggregate for the mini-league phase after a dramatic recovery from a three-goal first leg loss last weekend in the last-32 tie. Experienced African campaigner Al Madina opened the scoring after eight minutes in Omdurman and completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time. Substitute Mohamed Abdulrahman scored the fourth Sudanese goal 18 minutes from time with his first touch of the ball. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to draw 1-1 with Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda and advance 3-2 on aggregate. Geoffrey Sserunkuma scored his fourth goal in as many Champions League matches to give the Ugandans a half-time lead. Staring elimination on away goals, Sundowns salvaged a draw 10 minutes from time thanks to a shot into the roof of the net from Liberian Anthony Laffor. Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, who reached the semi-finals last year, edged Mounana of Gabon 5-4 on penalties after losing 1-0 in Libreville.