Kaizer Chiefs made history as they made it through to the last eight in the CAF Champions League after they drew 2-2 with Horoya at the General Lansana Conté Stadium on Saturday night.
Both teams were playing for a spot in the last eight, with Gavin Hunt’s men needing a win or a score-draw to go through. Wydad Casablanca had already qualified from Group C, but were confirmed as group winners after beating Petro.
Horoya were looking to reach the quarter-finals for the third time in four years, while this was the first time that Chiefs had reached the group stages, and so it’s a first time in the last eight for Chiefs.
Chiefs join Mamelodi Sundowns in the last eight and it is also the first time two South African teams have qualified for this stage at the same time. Two Algerian clubs have also qualified.
Horoya 2-2 Kaizer Chiefs
It was a first half where the home team dominated the possession, and had the better opportunities.
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo tried a long range effort for Chiefs in the 12th minute, but his shot went wide of goal.
Three minutes later Yakhouba Gnagna had a chance on the other end, but his header flew over the goal.
Itumeleng Khune pulled off a good save in the 26th minute, blocking a powerful long range effort from Sebe Baffour
Four minutes later Salif Coulibaly had a big chance,but his header from a corner kick went wide of goal.
Gnagna had another opportunity in the 33rd minute, but his shot lacked power and went straight at Khune.
Haba Boniface drew another save from Khune in the 42nd minute, as he tried to head in from a free kick.
Gnagna made it 1-0 to the home team in first half stoppage time as he headed in from a Sebe Baffour corner, to give the home team a deserved 1-0 lead at the half-time break.
Horoya captain Mandela Ocansey had a good chance to double the lead in the 48th minute, but with just Khune to beat, he blasted over.
Khama Billiat had a chance with a header in the 51st minute, but he couldn’t get it on target and it went over.
Boniface almost took advantage of some shaky defence from Chiefs, but his shot in the 54th minute flew over Khune’s goal, and a minute or so later Baffour shot straight at Khune.
Chiefs were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute when Oula Traore hand balled in the box. Daniel Cardoso stepped up to the spot and and blasted it into the goal. 1-1.
But Horoya were back in the lead through Fode Camara, who headed in from a corner two minutes later. 2-1.
Substitute Lazalous Kambole got to the end of a cross from Ngcobo in the 72nd minute, but his header went wide.
Billiat drew Chiefs level again in the 76th minute, a great finish, slightly deflected after getting to the end of a cross from Dumisani Zuma. 2-2.
With Horoya now having to win to get through they threw everything at Chiefs in the last ten minutes.
Heritier Makambo went close for Horoya in the 86th minute, but it flew wide of the goal.
It was a frantic four minutes of stoppage time as Horoya threw everything at Chiefs.
Khune pulled off a fantastic save in the dying minutes to keep it 2-2.
Simba won Group A, with Al Ahly qualifying in second place, while Sundowns won Group B, with Belouizdad qualifying as runners-up. In Group D ES Tunis qualify as winners, while MC Alger joined them, as they finished in second-place.
