Ethiopian torchbearers Saint  George were knocked out of the ongoing CAF Champions league falling to an 88^th minute Bolingi penalty in a game that saw both sides receive as much as they gave  in Lubumbashi

The two sides had played out a 2-2 draw in front of a 60,000 fans at the Bahir Dar National Stadium last week in Bahir Dar, 700-kilometres North  from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The game begun like a house on fire as visitors St.George fired from all cylinder trying to look for the opener but TP Mazembe defence marshaled by skipper Joel Kimwaki remained defiant.

The game went to the break at 0-0 and upon resumption they both continued to look for the opener relentlessly.

St.George suffered an early set back when influential youngster Natnael Zeleke was injured forcing coach Mart Nooij to bring on Mentsnot Adane.

However with 4 minute to the end of the game TP Mazembe’s Asante made a dangerous run cutting inside the Saint George defence who did not hesitate to bring him down as the referee pointed at the penalty spot.

Bolingi stepped up calmly slotting in the penalty past Sanjaw keeper Odonkora to give the defending champions a deserved 1-0 as they went through 3-2 on aggregate.

The first leg result gave the holders an edge over their guests, whose plot to surprise a win failed to materialize at the  ‘Les Corbeaux’ at their backyard.

 TP Mazembe : GBOHOUO – FRIMPONG (89e KABASO), KIMWAKI, COULIBALY, KASUSULA – KOUAME, BOPE – ADJEI – ASSALE (72e ULIMWENGU), BOLINGI , A. TRAORE (80e ASANTE)

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com