By Victor Kanayo
Four clubs – APR FC (Rwanda), Bumamuru (Burundi), Al-Merrikh (Sudan) and Orlando Pirates (South Africa) have now moved to the second round preliminary of 2023/24 CAF Champions League.
They qualified after taking part in the first round preliminary phase of the competition after favorable results in their respective return leg fixtures on Friday.
More clubs are expected to cross over to the next round after they tango in the return leg between Saturday and Sunday.
Succesful Clubs Passage Route
APR FC were the first side to secure passage into the next round of the competition after securing a 2-0 victory away from home against Gaadiidka of Somalia to advance 3-1 on aggregate.
Elsewhere in Burundi, home side, Bumamuru, made light work of Gabon’s CS Bendje in a high scoring encounter where the hosts easily brushed aside their opponents with a 5-1 win to advance 6-2 on aggregate.
The victory for the Burundians means they have set up an interesting tie against 2016 champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round.
In Sudan, Al-Merrikh did just enough to advance further after frustrating Congolese side, AS Otoho to a goalless stalemate, a result that sees the east Africans progress on away goal rule following their 1-1 draw last weekend.
Orlando Pirates cruised to victory at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, with 4-0 aggregate over Djabal FC of Comoros.
Following a 1-0 away win in the first leg, the Buccaneers finished off the job in style at their happy hunting ground with a brace from the in-form Zakhele Lepasa, coupled with a stunner from Patrick Maswanganyi to seal an emphatic victory for the former champions who are on a mission to claim their second continental trophy since 1995.
