TP Mazembe and Heartland may have semi-final, second legs ahead, but they virtually booked themselves a meeting in the CAF Champions League decider yesterday. The former won 5-2 away to Al Hilal, while the latter beat visiting Kano Pillars 4-0.

It was a tale of two halves at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. Emeka Nwanna headed home from a corner for the first goal on 13 minutes, before Uche Agba's rasping shot swiftly gave Heartland a 2-0 lead. The same player then increased his side's advantage with a marvelous half-volley in the 34th minute, following a pinpoint cross from fullback Orji Kalu, and Agba capitalised on a spill by Pillars goalkeeper Theophilus Joel to complete the scoring on the stroke of the interval.

The same tempo of early scoring marked the second semi-final of the day in Khartoum, where Mali import Demba Barry had Al Hilal ahead after just 54 seconds. Guy Lusadisu equalised five minutes later, but captain Haitham Mostafa restored Al Hilal's lead from the penalty spot. It was a lead that would nevertheless last only five minutes, with Patou Kabangu making it 2-2 on the half-hour mark.

Al Hilal threw everything forward in the second half, but they were caught on the counter-attack to allow Alain Kaluyitukadioko to edge Mazembe in front. Then, after Tresor Mputu was brought down in the 78th minute, Kabungu stepped up to convert the spot-kick, before Lusadisu sealed an admirable away success.

Al Hilal will go in search of what would be arguably the most spectacular comeback in the competition's history on 18 October. The Pillars will look for a similarly-improbable fightback this coming Saturday.