Gamtel knocked out of CAF champions league

Gamtel, who lost the first leg 2-1 in Morocco, were on Saturday beaten again by the same score at home by the Khouribga-based outfit.

Najib Koumya opened the score-line for the visitors in the 26th minute of the game from a free header after capitalizing on Rachid Tiberkanine cross to give his side a 1-nil lead going into the break.

Skipper Modou Sarr levelled the score for the telecommunication giants in the 71st minute but substitute Ibrahim Largon’s 94th-minute strike ensured the Moroccan side secure their spot in the next stage of the competition.

Speaking at a post-match press conference shortly after the encounter, Tapha Manneh, head coach of Gamtel FC, said the game was not too bad for them although the result was not good.

He said they had two other good chances they could have converted in the second period to possibly progress to the next stage of the competition but couldn’t capitalise on them.

They wanted to win at all cost at home and advance to the second stage of the competition which was why they used an attacking format for the game, he explained.

He also said the champions league levels of previous CAF competitions and the one they have just participated in were different, adding that they would put this recent round of loss down to experience being the first time they had taken part in the competition.

He said they would continue to work hard to ensure they win the domestic league and secure qualification in the CAF Champions League next year.

Ahmed Ajlani, head coach of Olympique Club of Khouribga, congratulated Gamtel for putting up a respectable performance in the two legs.

He added that his goalkeeper, who is a national team player, made decisive saves to keep his team in the game, as well as good defending by his players.

His players did give their best during the encounter, he added, and wished Tapha Manneh well in his coaching career.