Egypt's Ahly were held 2-2 at home by USMA of Algeria but qualify for the Champions League group stages 3-2 on aggregate.

Ahly, who failed to reach the last eight in 2004, qualified as a result of their 1-0 win in Algeria.

Against the run of play, USMA's Hocine Achiou opened scoring in the 42nd minute.

But the Egyptians equalised on the stroke of half time through Emad El Nahas.

Ten minutes into the second half, Emad Meteib, the top scorer in the Egyptian league, put his side ahead.

With time running out, it appeared the 2001 African Champions League winners were on course for a win but the Algerians were awarded a penalty in the 94th minute.

Mohamed Hamdoud converted the spot kick but Ahly's fans were relieved that their 1-0 win in the first-leg earned them passage to the group stages.

USMA will now play either AS Marsa of Tunisia or Stella Abidjan of the Ivory Coast to see who goes through to the group stages of the Confederation Cup.