Lidoda Duvha, who narrowly avoided PSL relegation, were eliminated 3-2 on aggregate in the continental showpiece.

In a tense first half, Rodney Ramagalela shot wide for Leopards after the half-hour mark.

At the other end, Nigerian hitman Kelechi Osunwa ballooned his strike over from distance.

Edgar Manaka managed to direct his effort on goal soon afterwards but visiting goalkeeper Al-Merreikh was equal to the task.

Leopards nearly conceded just before the break but Nasr Eldin flashed a volley wide from a promising position.

In a tactical change by Leopards coach Sunday Chidzamba, Raymond Monama came on for Manaka after the interval and the replacement midfielder was quickly involved in the action.

Monama made good work on the ball before he delivered a well-weighted cross into the 18-yard area, but Ramagalela's header was straight at goalkeeper Akram.

The Al-Merreikh stopper proved a tough nut to crack as Lidoda Duvha continued to press forward on attack, while the visitors sat back and absorbed the pressure.

Akram denied Chidzamba's men on two more occasions, blocking Mongezi Bobe's headed attempt before clearing a potentially dangerous ball into the box with Monama waiting to pounce.

However, the match wound down with no real goalscoring chances falling to either side, with the final result leaving Leopards' African dream in tatters.