Defending African Champions League holders, Hearts of Oak have made a shock exit from this year's competition after losing 5-1 to Etoile du Congo in the delayed first round second-leg match in Brazzaville.

The Ghanaian champions go out on 6-4 on aggregate. Hearts won the first-leg 3-1 in Kumasi after coming from a goal down last weekend.

Etoile took the lead in the fifth minute and added the second in the 34th from the penalty spot through Patrick Loko, after Stephen Tetteh had handled.

Etoile scored three more goals with Patrick Loko on target again with a 30-metre strike. Hearts pulled a goal back in the 58th minute through Amui Quaye but Willie Ngaza made it 5-1 to seal his side's victory.

Etoile go through to play Angola's Petro Atletico in the second round.

Hearts had protested against the appointment of Angolan match officials for the Etoile game on the grounds that Atletico's involvement might affect the referee's performance.

CAF threw out the protest but the Ghanaians still had plenty to complain about upon arrival in the Congolese capital last Wednesday.

Hearts accused the Congolese had treated them shabbily, ignoring all laid down protocol measures for visiting teams.

Hearts would represent Africa in the upcoming World Club Championship in Spain alongside Egyptian champions Zamalek.

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