Berkane pack Sekhukhune out of the CAF Confed. Cup

Sekhukhune United became yet another South African side to bow out of the CAF Confederation Cup after their goalless draw against RSB Berkane in Polokwane on Sunday evening.

Sekhukhune went into the Group D clash needing a win to keep their hopes of making the knockout phase alive, however they were dominated by the Moroccan side even though the game ended without any goals.

The Limpopo side could not manage a shot at goal in the opening stanza, while the visitors had two shots in the 16th minute from a corner but the ball bounced out. The other chance came in the 22nd minute, a wonderful combination play between Djibril Ouattara and Yassine Lebhiri that forced Badra Ali Sangare to come out and make a save.

The hosts finished the opening half with 10 men as Jamie Webber was sent off four minutes before the break.

Sekhukhune made a triple substitution at half-time, with Sibusiso Vilakazi, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and Lehlohonolo Mtshali replacing Michael Sarpong, Asekho Tiwani and Rally Bwalya which helped them keep the ball more.

Lehlohonolo Seema’s charges won a free- kick in the 52nd minute just outside the box, however Vilakazi scooped it and it went over the bar.

Five minutes after the hour mark Berkane had a threatening shot but it was blocked. Two minutes after that Vila crossed to Kgomotso Mosadi who wasted the opportunity and they were almost made to regret that a minute later.

Youssef Mehri had a perfect chance to break the dead lock and Sangare put his body on the line to make an important save un the 69th minute. Ntiya-Ntiya was brought down and earned his side a set-piece in the 71st minute Moloisane Mokhele stepped up with a good delivery but it was met with a better punch by the visiting goalkeeper.

The result means Ba bina Noko are third in the group with five points from five matches, that’s half the number of points the side ahead of them Stade Malien has, while Berkane sit at the summit of the group with 11 points from the same number of matches.

Sekhukhune travel to Congo for their final group clash against Diables Noirs over the next weekend.