South African Premier Soccer League side Amazulu secured their first ever CAF Champions League group stage spot following their 1-1 draw against TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
Chipolopolo defender Tandi Mwape started for TP Mazembe while Rainford Kalaba was introduced after break. Defender Kabaso Chongo had to make do with a place on the bench.
For Amazulu, Chipolopolo winger Augustine Mulenga was an unused subsitute.
Following last week’s goalless stalemate in Durban, the Congolese giants went into the second round tie as favourites.
Mazembe squandered several chances to take the lead, including Jean Othos’s awkwardly missed tap-in opportunity in the 12th minute from close range.
However, it was Benni McCarthy’s Amazulu that broke the deadline just before the break to stun the home ground thanks to Bonginkosi Ntuli who scored from a rebound inside the penalty area.
After the break, Kalaba was introduced as TP Mazembe piled pressure for an equaliser.
Adam Bossu finally pulled one back for the Ravens in injury time but it wasn’t enough as Mazembe were dumped out of the CAF Champions League on away goal rule.
The five times Champions League winner will now drop to the Confederations Cup, the competition they won in 2016 and 2017.
Mazembe last won the Champions League in 2015 following their triumph in 2009 and 2010. The other two titles were won in 1967 and 1968.
Football now has changed, there is no fovourite or home ground Advantage. Good luck to amazulu.