The Lubumbashi side went into the matchday five fixture with four points in the third position and needed a positive result to oust USM Algers to boost their chances.
Allan Kateregga diverted the ball into his own net with literally the last kick of the game to peg his Congolese side St. Eloi Lupopo’s progress to the quarterfinal of the CAF Confederations Cup.
The Lubumbashi side went into the matchday five fixture with four points in the third position and needed a positive result to oust USM Algers to boost their chances.
Horso Malanga Mwaku set them on course for a win at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after getting at the end of Emmanuel Bola Lobota’s good work on the left wing to grab the lead in the 72nd minute.
However, with the clock ticking, the visiting Algerians piled pressure that yielded successful corners in the fifth minute of added time.
Aymen Mahious curled the last one but, unfortunately, Kateregga, who was trying to head away, diverted into his own net to share spoils.
In the other Group A fixture, Libyan side Al Akhdar thumped South Africans Marumo Gallants 4-1 for their first win of the season.
Despite the loss, Marumo Gallants, home to Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Isma Watenga, progressed to the quarterfinal with a game to spare courtesy of Lupopo’s slip at home.
The Gallants lead the pool with nine points, USM Alger follows with eight while Lupopo and Akhdar hang with faint hopes with five apiece.
Lupopo must now beat Gallants and hope that the Algerians lose to Khadar in the last group matches on April 2nd.
CAF Confederation Cup
Group A results
St. Eloi Lupopo 1-1 USM Alger
Al Akhdar 4-1 Marumo Gallants
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