Sports News of Sunday, 7 May 2006

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Hearts & Kotoko Qualify

Berekum Arsenal out!
Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko reached the last eight of the African Champions League in emphatic style on Sunday.

Hearts knocked out Tunisia's Etoile Sahel, runners-up in the last two competitions, and joined compatriots Kotoko in the lucrative league phase of the competition.

Etoile Sahel, one goal down from the first leg against the 2000 winners, battled to level the aggregate score, netting only in the final minute through defender Sabeur Ben Frej to secure a 1-1 aggregate tie. But they were eliminated 5-4 on penalties by Hearts, whose goalkeeper Laud Quartey made three stops in the shootout.

Etoile, runners-up to Enyimba of Nigeria and Al-Ahly of Egypt in the last two editions of the Champions League, succumbed to a first half goal two weeks ago in Obuasi and were hoping history repeats itself. Both clubs triumphed 1-0 at home at the same stage two years ago and Etoile won the penalty shootout in Sousse

Two-time champions Asante Kotoko of Ghana had earlier qualified for the group stage on Sunday.

Kotoko lost 1-0 in Antananarivo against USCAFOOT of Madagascar but held a healthy 6-0 lead from last month's first leg.

Petro de Luanda of Angola knocked Berekum Arsenal out of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup.