The DRC will have only one representative in this season’s CAF competitions group phase following the elimination of FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo from the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after a 1-1 draw at home to South African side Sekhukhune United on Sunday.
Lupopo went into Sunday’s encounter at the Pentecost Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa looking to turn the tie around having lost 3-1 to Sekhukhune in the first-leg played in Polokwane two weeks ago.
The Railmen coached by Malian tactician Mohamed Magassouba had a bright start to the encounter as Ugandan referee Chelanget Sabila pointed to the spot after defender Dieu-Bénit Ndongala was fouled in the area with 20 minutes on the clock.
Manu Bola Lobota stepped up from the spot and made no mistake to put the hosts in front.
Lupopo dominated the match all the way into the half-time break but could not add the much needed second goal despite having several chances at goal.
Sekhukhune would then return in the second-half a much improved side with Nigerian striker Chibuike Ohizu coming back to haunt Lupopo like he did in the first leg with an equalizer in the 55th minute.
Lupopo now had a mountain task of overturning the tie and eventually bowed out of the Confed Cup 4-2 on aggregate while Sekhukhune progressed to the group stage.
With Lupopo joining AS Vita Club who were booted out of the CAF Champions League at the first hurdle, this means the DRC’s sole flag carrier in CAF competitions will be TP Mazembe.
Mazembe rallied to a resounding 4-0 victory over Malawian side Nyasa Big Bullets to progress into the group stage of the Champions League with a 5-0 aggregate scoreline.
