CAIRO: Harras Hodoud exited the African Confederation Cup after slumping to a 3-1 defeat at Sfaxien on Saturday to gift the Tunisian side the second Group B semi-final ticket.
The Egyptian military side bowed out from the group stage for the third season running.
They could not register a single victory in five games, losing three times and drawing twice.
Hodoud, who qualified for Africa’s secondary club competition after winning the Egyptian Cup last season, are at the bottom of their group on two points with one game remaining.
Sfaxien, who have 10 points, are joint leaders with FUS Rabat of Morocco.
Both sides will meet in their last game to determine the group winners and runners-up while Hodoud will face third-placed Zanaco of Zambia, who have five points, in a pointless match.
Sfaxien needed one minute to go ahead through a goal from Abbas Hashim, who fired home from close range after a goal-mouth scramble.
Hodoud, who had no option but to win to keep alive their hopes of booking a last-four berth, leveled the score on 21 minutes.
Midfielder Ahmed Salem controlled a cross from Egyptian international striker Ahmed Mekki before placing his shot over the keeper and into the net.
Forward Hamza Younes restored Sfaxien’s advantage nine minutes later in a carbon-copy of the team’s opener.
Lassaad Dridi made sure of the victory shortly after the restart when his free kick went through the wall and into the net although Hodoud keeper got a hand to it.
