On Friday, 24 November, Sekhukhune United made history as they booked
their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages for the first time.
The Limpopo side secured their passage with a 4-2 aggregate win over
Saint Eloi Lupopo in the second preliminary round.
'𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔 𝗡𝗢𝗞𝗢' 𝗜𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘@SekhukhuneFc played to a 1-1 draw with St Eloi Lupopo 🇨🇩 today in the #CAFCC.
Sekhukhune progress to the group stage (won 4-2 on aggregate). pic.twitter.com/YzUAm322pe
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) October 1, 2023
Sekhukhune United started the game with wholesale changes to the side
that lost against Kaizer Chiefs, as Edwin Gyimah, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya
and Sibusiso Vilakazi were some of the returnees while the likes of
Vusumuzi Mncube, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Nyiko Mobbie started from the bench.
The Congolese side were awarded a penalty on 19 minutes and Emmanuel Bola
gave them the lead from the spot-kick, reducing the deficit to 2-3 on
aggregate.
Sekhukhune were under pressure in the early stages but managed to absorb
the pressure and went to the break trailing 1-0 but were 3-2 ahead on
aggregate. Sekhukhune’s Head Coach, Brandon Truter, made attacking changes
at half-time as he brought on Pogiso Mahlangu and Tiklas Thutlwa who both
replaced Miguel Dias and Ntiya-Ntiya.
The changes had the desired impact for Sekhukhune, as Thutlwa levelled
matters on the hour-mark and gave Babina Noko a 4-2 lead on aggregate.
Sekhukhune got stuck in after that and showed attacking intentions with 15
minutes to go, as Mncube replaced Elias Mokwana for fresh legs upfront.
Lupopo pressurized the Limpopo side in the dying minutes with successive
corners but Sekhukhune held firm and a 1-1 draw was enough to see them
through to the group stages with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Sekhukhune United have become the first South African side to reach the
group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup, making history in the process.
