APR FC staged a commanding comeback to eliminate Aigles du Congo, while Rangers International of Nigeria edged past AS Sobemap on penalties — securing two more berths in the Second Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Ouattara leads APR's emphatic turnaround

Entering the return leg at Kigali's Amahoro Stadium with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg played in Lubumbashi, APR needed a response. They delivered one emphatically, winning 3-0 on the night to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

Ouattara sparked the revival after 32 minutes, cancelling out the first-leg deficit with a goal that drew the tie level at 1-1 on aggregate. The momentum shifted decisively toward the Rwandan champions, who carried that energy into the second half.

Christian Ishimwe doubled the advantage in the 58th minute, putting APR 2-1 ahead on aggregate and placing the burden firmly on Aigles du Congo to respond. They could not.

Ouattara then completed his outstanding display by converting a penalty in the 78th minute — his second of the evening — to make it 3-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. Aigles du Congo, who had arrived in Kigali with a disciplined first-leg lead, were eliminated with no route back.

APR demonstrated precisely the kind of ruthless home form that transforms narrow deficits into commanding victories, outscoring their visitors 3-0 without reply.

Rangers hold their nerve from the spot

The other fixture provided considerably more drama. Rangers International and AS Sobemap had drawn 1-1 in the first leg, and when the return meeting in Benin finished by the same scoreline, the aggregate stood at 2-2 — forcing a penalty shootout to decide who would progress.

The Flying Antelopes, who had looked to attacking outlets Folarin Temitope, Chimaobi Igwilo, and Wisdom Ebirim to make the difference across both legs, were unable to break the deadlock in open play. However, they held their composure when it mattered most.

Rangers converted five of their kicks and triumphed 5-4 in the shootout, advancing at the expense of the Benin champions AS Sobemap.

Both APR and Rangers now move into the Second Preliminary Round, where the competition intensifies further as clubs push to reach the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage.