Marumo Gallants were defeated 4-1 by Al-Akhdar in their CAF Confederation Cup group clash at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Sunday evening.

Anas Alraheem opened the scoring on 31 minutes ahead of a brace from Ary Papel (50, 66).

Mpho Mvelase pulled a goal back with 61 minutes on the clock but Mohamed Makari made sure of the result with his goal on 73 minutes.

Al-Akhdar were first in with a chance as Papel fired in on goal from a good Ededem Essien pass but just overhit his effort.

Sibusiso Sibeko was then just off target for Gallants with a header following an 11th minute corner as Papel again came close at the other end with a drilled shot from outside the area.

Lucky Mohomi should have done better with his 16th minute shot he that pulled past the right-hand upright.

But Anas Abd Alraheem made no mistake when he picked up a Mohammed Alzabbadball ball before slotting home past Gallants stopper Winston Arubi.

Gallants worked hard to get back into the game, but Diala Manaka was wayward with a long-range effort as Katlego Otladisa came close to an equaliser with a shot he put just over the goal for the final piece of action of the first half.

But any thought of an immediate fightback seemed unlikely at the start of the second period as first Papel threatened with a shot from a tight angle on 50 minutes before finding the back of the net barely a minute later with a close range effort.

A determined Gallants pressed on but Tshepo Gumede was wayward with a 57th minute header as Lesiba Nku put his 59th minute free-kick just over the target.

There was certainly an improvement in the away side's play and they duly pulled a goal back just past the hour mark through Mpho Mvelase, as he slotted home a Gumede headed pass.

But it just wasn't to be their night as Papel popped up with his second of the night with a pinpoint shot past Arubi in the Gallants goal.

And it got even worse for the DStv Premiership side when Mohamed Makari curled home into the bottom right corner of the Gallants goal as he latched onto a good Papel ball from a quick break forward.

Celimpilo Ngema came as close as anyone to pulling a goal back for Gallants late on, first on 77 minutes with an effort blocked on route to goal and again four minutes later with a shot saved by Al-Akhdar stopper Miftah Al Taeb.

Otladisa tried his luck from long range in the dying but the result was already a foregone conclusion and the home team ran out deserved and comfortable winners.

The result saw Gallants remain on top of Group A with nine points from five games and Al Akhdar down in fourth with five points.

USM Alger are second with eight points and Saint Eloi Lupopo complete the group in third place with five points.

Marumo Gallants second best against decisive Al-Akhdar in Confederation Cup