Morocco's RS Berkane made it three finals in four seasons in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after beating TP Mazembe on aggregate to seal qualification to the final two.
Berkane, who won the competition in the 2019/20 needed a late double from Youssef El Fahli to ensure they advanced at the expense of the Mazembe.
Berkane were finalists in the 2018/19 season and won the competition at the end of the 2019/20 campaign. However, the Moroccan side missed out on a place in the final in the 2020/21 season.
Mazembe had to finish the game with 10 men as Tandi Mwape was sent off in the 65th minute for a second yellow card.
Playing as the home side, Berkane made use of the numerical advantage, scoring the second goal in the 79th minute before hitting the winning double in the last five minutes of the game.
The home side trailed by a solitary goal from the first leg played in Lubumbashi last weekend and needed a massive performance at home to ensure they progressed to their third final.
They had a strong start to the match and got into the lead after nine minutes courtesy of a Bakr El Helali goal. The forward struck a brilliant shot on the volley from the edge of the box after a cross from the left was deflected to his path.
However, Mazembe struck an immediate response through Philippe Kinzumbi. The 23-year old forward stole the ball off Berkane defender Issoufou Dayo who had taken a heavy touch and stormed into the box before rifling an unstoppable left footer.
The goal balanced the tie with Mazembe now playing with more confidence especially as they led 2-1 on aggregate.
In the second half, the home side came back with more vigour as they sought to swing the tie back in their favour. They were handed a huge numerical advantage after 65 minutes when Zambian Mwape was sent off for a second yellow card for dissent.
With one man more, they pushed Mazembe into their own half and they were rewarded with the second goal in the 79th minute when skipper Najji Larbi bounced in a header unmarked from an Omar Namsaoui freekick.
Berkane now needed just one goal to win the tie and they got it in the 86th minute when El Fahli scored from the penalty spot. The referee reviewed a foul inside the box on the VAR pitch side monitor to award the spot kick.
El Fahli then sealed the victory in stoppage time off a counter with a simple tap in after substitute Charki El Bahri won the ball on the right and slashed in an inviting cross past the keeper.
Berkane will play South Africa's Orlando Pirates in the final which has been confirmed for Uyo, Nigeria.
Latest Stories
-
Dreams FC denies allegations of attempting to sign Najeeb Yakubu
5 mins -
Election 2024: ‘Right to free and fair elections non-negotiable’ – Akufo-Addo
11 mins -
Kurt Okraku took out my passport from the U23 squad that travelled to Japan – Najeeb Yakubu alleges
21 mins -
Where hope fails: Ghana’s decaying home for the destitute
31 mins -
NDC Mining Committee for 2024 campaign refutes allegations of recruiting thugs for elections
41 mins -
Traction Control: A lifesaver with an off switch? Here’s why it exists
45 mins -
I don’t need anyman to woo me with money – Miss Malaika 2024 winner refutes pimping claims
52 mins -
”Kurt Okraku sabotaged my national team career because I refused to sign with Dreams FC” – Najeeb Yakubu
52 mins -
Businesses urged to leverage Generative AI for enhanced customer engagement
56 mins -
MultiChoice Ghana partners with Ghana Hotels Association to elevate guest entertainment
1 hour -
Bawumia’s music streaming app or Mahama’s pay-per-view TV channel?
1 hour -
Karpowership Ghana empowers 40 Takoradi Technical University students with scholarship
1 hour -
We expect significant reduction in prices of petroleum products in coming weeks – CEO AOMC
1 hour -
Betway Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime ‘Play-on-the-Pitch’ experience at Emirates Stadium
2 hours -
I coined the term ‘hype man’ in Ghana – Merqury Quaye
2 hours