Egypt’s Haras El-Hodoud waved goodbye to the CAF Confederation Cup after losing in the third round 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo side Motema Pembe following a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Holding a narrow 2-1 advantage from the first leg, El-Hodoud fell behind when Pembe forward Matondo Salakiaku struck after 20 minutes to fire the hosts in front.

Salakiaku scored his second of the night 12 minutes later to double Pembe’s advantage and give his side the upper hand.

El-Hodoud leveled the aggregate score when Ahmed Safy notched home one minute after the interval. That was the end of the scoring, but the Alexandria-based club were inferior to Pembe in the penalty shootout.

Striker Ahmed Abdel-Ghany and Senegalese Pape N’Diaye wasted their spot-kicks to widen the misery of the Egyptian Cup holders, who are already struggling in the domestic league.

El-Hodoud were eliminated from the group stage of the Confederation Cup, Africa’s secondary club competition, during the past three seasons.

Cairo giants Ahly are now the only Egyptian representative left in African competitions. They host Zambia’s ZESCO United in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 later on Sunday.