Plateau United have crashed out of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League after a 1-0 loss to Esperance of Tunisia in the reverse fixture at the Stade Olympique Hamadi Agrebi on Saturday.

The result sees the Tunisians qualify for the money spinning group stage thanks to the away goals rule after the game ended 2-2 after 180 minutes of action in Abuja and Tunis.

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scored the only goal of the encounter in the 83rd minute from the penalty spot after the centre referee controversially pointed to the spot from a supposed foul in the box which left the away team furious.

The first leg of the encounter had ended 2-1 in Abuja with the Nigerian side needing a draw to qualify for the money spinning group stage of the competition but were on the back foot from the blast of the whistle needing goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso’s heroics and a good job from the defenders to stay in the game.

The pressure from the hosts however yielded results in the 83rd minute

With the loss, Plateau United will drop to the playoffs stage of the CAF Confederation Cup where they’ll have the opportunity to play for a group stage spot.