Simba SC of Tanzania on Tuesday failed to make it to the semifinals of the inaugural African Football League (AFL) blocked by the away goals rule.

The Tanzanian giants and Egypt’s Al Ahly played 2-2 in the first quarter final match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Friday and drew 1-1 in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, but Al Ahly went through the semis on away goals rule.

Simba have themselves to blame for the AFL exit since they failed to protect their one goal lead in Cairo which could have seen them sail through the semis.

Sadio Kanoute deflected a header which passed through the hapless goalie Mohamed El Shenawy in the 68th minute but a defensive poor making allowed Mahmoud Kahraba to level the score for Al Ahly in the 75^th minute to rob Simba the semi-final chance.

Read: Tanzania, Ghana champions drawn with giants Al Ahly

The Egyptian side will now meet Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the semis scheduled to kick off on October 29 and return leg on November 1.

The Mamelodis on Tuesday eliminated Petro Atletico De Luanda of Angola in another quarter final meet 2-0 on aggregate.

The winners of the maiden tournament will receive a prize money of $4 Million. 

The runner-up will get $2.8 Million. The two semi-finalists will each get $1.7 Million. The quarterfinalists will each win $900 000.

AFL’s objective is to be Africa’s most exciting competition, providing a new dimension in terms of entertainment, television production and the fan experience – which will complement CAF’s strong existing interclub competitions.

Other quarter finalists were TP Mazembe of DR Congo, Tunisia’s Esperance Tunissienne, Enyimba FC of Nigeria and Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.

AFL is the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s project backed by the football’s world governing body, FIFA.