Mukura beat Hilal Obayed in dramatic shootouts to reach playoffs

Saturday Mukura 0-0 Hilal Obayed (5-4 penalties) MUKURA Victory Sports reached the playoffs round of the Total Caf Confederation Cup after beating Al Hilal SC Obayed 5-4 in penalty shootouts following a goalless draw, in regular time, in a nail-biting and dramatic game at Huye Stadium on Saturday. Christophe Ndayishimiye, Onesme Twizerimana, Innocent Ndizeye, Iddy Saidi Djuma and Gael Duhayindavyi slotted in their penalties for the hosts to send Hilal Obayed packing. Hilal Obayeds Yousuf Ibrahim, whose penalty hit the post, was the only taker who failed to convert his penalty. Mukura could have scored in the second half to put the game to bed in regular time but Ndayishimiye, Frank Lomami, Nduhayindavyi and Hussein Ciza failed to make the difference from a string of clear chances. This is the first time that the Huye-based outfit have progressed past the first round of the continents second biggest club competition since their 1982 debut. Francis Haringingos reached the first round after edging out South Africas Free State Stars in the preliminary round earlier this month. The Peace Cup holders, Mukura, are taking part in the continental showpiece for the first time in 18 years, since 2000 when they were knocked out from the first round by Ethiopian side Awassa City. editorial@newtimes.co.rw