Title holders Ahly conceded a goal eight minutes into stoppage time but still managed to reach the African Confederation Cup group stage after prevailing in a penalty shootout against Tunisia's Club Africain at Rades Stadium on Sunday.

Club Africain, who slumped to a 2-1 first-leg defeat in Suez, went ahead on aggregate when Zouheir Dhaouadi sent a delicate chip over Ahly keeper Sherif Ekramy after seven minutes to send the home fans into raptures.

However, veteran striker Emad Meteb, known for his decisive goals, lived up to expectations following his second-half introduction, scoring on the hour mark to put Ahly in the driving seat.

Tensions boiled over in the latter stages as Club Africain pressed for a second goal, and Ahly were unlucky to lose Ekramy and Meteb to injury.

Ahly's right-back Mohamed Hani, who replaced Meteb, and Africain's Hichem Belkaroui were both sent off following an altercation near the touchline after the former lunged at the latter.

With the final whistle approaching, Africain had a chance to make the most of an eight-minute stoppage time, with midfielder Nader Ghandri heading at the death to level the score on aggregate and force penalties.

Africain's Hamza Agrebi and Ahly's Mohamed Naguib wasted their spot-kicks.

In the sudden death, both sides failed to convert one effort apiece before Africain's Seif Jaziri had his shot denied by the bar, allowing playmaker Ramadan Sobhi to send the keeper the wrong way and stun the home crowd, sending Ahly to the last eight with a 5-4 win.

The Cairo giants will play in the group stage along with stade Malien of Mali and Tunisian duo Esperance and Etoile Sahel.

Early goal

Buoyant after clinching their first Tunisian league title in seven years last week, Club Africain grabbed an early lead when Dhaouadi escaped the attention of marker Saad Samir to latch onto a through ball and place the ball over Ekramy and into the net.

Ekramy was on alert to thwart some attempts from the hosts while Ahly had some half-chances at the other end.  

Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk introduced Meteb in the second half as he replaced ineffective Nigerian striker Peter Ebimobowe.

In the 50^th minute, Ahly were hit by the injury of Ekramy who was replaced by Ahmed Adel.

Meteb finished off a flowing move to help Ahly gain the upper hand 10 minutes later, tapping in simply at the far post after a perfect pass from veteran midfielder Hossam Ghaly.

Both sides played with a man down in the last 10 minutes and Africain laid siege to Ahly's area, squandering some clear-cut chances.

The pressure paid off when Dhaouadi headed home at the far post but Ahly had the last word in the penalty shootout to continue their bid to retain the title they won last year.

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