South Africans Orlando Pirates survived a scare in Uganda this weekend to draw 2-2 and reach the CAF Confederation Cup round of 16 at the expense of Ugandans Revenue Authority.

A spectacular stoppage-time own-goal in Soweto three weeks ago meant the Buccaneers travelled to Kampala with an uncomfortable 2-1 first-leg advantage in the second-tier African club competition.

And when the tax collectors forged ahead after 36 minutes on a hard, bumpy Mandela National Stadium pitch through Yasser Mugerwa, they were set for the next round on the away-goal rule.

But 1995 African champions Pirates fought back after half-time and goals from Mpho Makola and star midfielder Oupa Manyisa put them ahead.

Needing three goals in 22 minutes to survive, all the Ugandans managed was a late second-leg equaliser from Frank Kalanda, who had been a doubtful starter due to malaria.

Revenue Authority sorely missed suspended goal-poacher Robert Ssentongo, who scored three in a preliminary-round victory over Malagasy side Saint-Michel.

Pirates defeated clubs from Uganda and Gabon en route to conquering Africa 20 years ago.

And, by coincidence, the Soweto outfit will face Gabonese Mounana in the final qualifying round before play-offs against CAF Champions League round-of-16 losers.

Mounana appeared 'bankers' to progress having established a 4-0 first-leg lead over Zambians Power Dynamos in Libreville.

But they ended the return match clinging to the narrowest of advantages after losing 3-0 as Kelvin Mubanga, Alex N'gonga and Christopher Munthali scored in central city Kitwe.

Mounana host Pirates in mid-April with the return match two weeks later.

Ivorians ASEC Mimosas, runners-up when Pirates became African champions, upset Libyans Al-Ittihad 2-1 in Tunis after beind held in Abidjan.

Abdussalam Mohamed put the Tripoli club ahead on five minutes at Stade El-Menzah and Mensah Brefo levelled midway through the opening half.

With time running out and a penalty shootout looming, Mahan Marc Goua set up Krahire Zakri to score the goal that won the match and the tie.

Deadly inter-militia violence across Libya has prevented clubs hosting CAF fixtures this season.

Ghanaians Hearts of Oak, the first winners of the Confederation Cup 11 years ago, completed a double over Senegalese Olympique Ngor with a 3-2 away victory in M'Bour.

Success was particularly sweet for the Accra outfit as they have been heavily criticised by former stars, who said the side lacked quality and was wasting money competing in Africa.

Hearts trailed and led before Paul Acquah snatched the match-winner two minutes from time for a 5-3 aggregate triumph.

Malians Djoliba and Onze Createurs and Tanzanians Young Africans also qualified although none of them could celebrate a second-leg victory.

Createurs held Sahel 0-0 in Niger, Djoliba forced a similar scoreline against Petrojet in Egypt and Young Africans lost 1-0 to Platinum in Zimbabwe after building a four-goal advantage at home.