Title holders Egypt's Al Ahly reached the African Confederation Cup group stage after prevailing in a penalty shootout against Tunisia's Club Africain at Rades Stadium on Sunday.

Club Africain went ahead on aggregate when Zouheir Dhaouadi sent a delicate chip over Ahly keeper Sherif Ekramy after seven minutes to send the home fans into raptures.

However, veteran striker Emad Meteb scored on the hour mark to put Ahly in the driving seat.

Tensions boiled over in the latter stages as Club Africain pressed for a second goal, and Ahly were unlucky to lose Ekramy and Meteb to injury.

Ahly's right-back Mohamed Hani, who replaced Meteb, and Africain's Hichem Belkaroui were both sent off following an altercation near the touchline after the former lunged at the latter.

In the sudden death, both sides failed to convert one effort apiece before Africain's Seif Jaziri had his shot denied by the bar, allowing playmaker Ramadan Sobhi to send the keeper the wrong way and stun the home crowd, sending Ahly to the last eight with a 5-4 win.

The Cairo giants will play in the group stage along with stade Malien of Mali and Tunisian duo Esperance and Etoile Sahel.
Source: MENA