Sekhukhune United conceded at the death against Desportivo Lunda Sul to lose 1-0 in the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup's second preliminary round on Saturday at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda.
Babina Noko reached the group stage last season but found it tough getting past RS Berkane and Stade Malien who finished second and third respectively to advance. Babina Noko collected six points to finish above Diables Noirs.
To qualify for the ongoing edition, Sekhukhune finished fourth on the Premier Soccer League table to join Stellenbosch who had finished a position higher.
Sekhukhune received a bye from the initial round, while Lunda Sul eliminated Elgeco Plus from the competition to get a place in the second preliminary round.
Spoils shared, Sekhukhune fail to win away
The Saturday fixture was Babina Noko's second in the 2024/25 season after the MTN8 quarter-final match against Cape Town City that ended 1-0 in favour of the Citizens.
The supporters were not given anything to celebrate in the first half as the teams employed a cautious approach.
Even after the break, the PSL outfit opted to employ a defensive approach to ensure the game ended goalless. They thought they have kept the clean sheet but Joca struck in the fifth minute of added time to give his team a precious win.
When is the second leg?
Babina Noko will now host the Angolan side at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, September 21.
They will need a favourable result, in front of the home fans, to seal their place in the second leg.
However, before playing the Angolans, Sekhukhune United have a home date with Premier Soccer League newbies Magesi FC in their first top-tier fixture in the 2024/25 campaign.
