Al Madina hat-trick spurs Sudanese to glory

JOHANNESBURG: Bakry Al Madina scored a hat-trick as Al Merrikh of Sudan trounced Rivers United of Nigeria 4- 0 this weekend to snatch a CAF Champions League group place.

Merrikh qualified 4- 3 on aggregate for the mini-league phase after a dramatic recovery from a three- goal first leg loss last weekend in the last-32 tie.

Experienced African campaigner Al Madina opened the scoring after eight minutes in Omdurman and completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time.

Substitute Mohamed Abdulrahman scored the fourth Sudanese goal 18 minutes from time with his first touch of the ball.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to draw 1-1 with Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda and advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Geoffrey Sserunkuma scored his fourth goal in as many Champions League matches to give the Ugandans a half-time lead.

Staring elimination on away goals, Sundowns salvaged a draw 10 minutes from time thanks to a shot into the roof of the net from Liberian Anthony Laffor.

Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, who reached the semi-finals last year, edged Mounana of Gabon 5- 4 on penalties after losing 1- 0 in Libreville.

Hamidou Sinayoko forced a shootout by scoring four minutes into stoppage time, but Zouheir Laaroubi saved the third Gabonese spot-kick. — AFP