Confederation Cup: Ifeanyi Eze bags brace as Al-Hilal Benghazi beat Homeboyz to advance to second round

Former Kano Pillars striker Ifeanyi Eze scored twice to help Al-Hilal Benghazi secure a 4-1 win over Kakamega Homeboyz and passage into the CAF Confederation Cup second qualifying round.

Al-Hilal needed a win to advance, having played out a goalless draw against the Kenyan side in the first leg in Kakamega on August 19.

It took them 12 minutes to get in front at Martyrs of Benina Stadium, with Eze — a summer signing from Al Suquur — firng into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Osama Belaid doubled the lead 13 minutes later, before Eze beat Farouk Shikalo at his near post to register his second of the evening — following a beautiful team move.

Moses Mudavadi pulled one back two minutes before the break to give the Homeboyz hopes of a comeback, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Kelvin Andoh scored in the 85th minute to seal victory for the hosts.

Al-Hilal will face Rayon Sport in the second qualifying round, with the Libyan club scheduled to host the Rwandan side in the first leg on September 17 — while the reverse fixture will hold on October 1.

Elsewhere, Nigeria Federation Cup winners Bendel Insurance will play Moroccan club Berkane, while Rivers United — exempted from the first preliminary round — will take on Ouagadougou-based Étoile Filante.