James Copnall BBC Sport, Abidjan

Etoile du Sahel had already won the group

Africa Sports continued their impressive late form to record a 3-2 Champions League win over Etoile du Sahel on Saturday.

The Ivorians' surprise success followed an ever bigger upset when they won away to African champions Enyimba of Nigeria - but it came too late to earn a semi-final spot.

Africa Sports bounced back from conceding twice in the first eight minutes to win a barnstorming game.

Nevertheless, Etoile, who were without seven regulars, still won the group.

The Tunisians made a tremendous start, with attacker Aymen Bouchioua converting an early goal.

Etoile then won a penalty, which Sabeur Frej converted with ease.

If Africa Sports' sparse sprinkling of supporters were in despair, they were soon to be cheering wildly.

Lanky striker Blaise Kouassi conjured up an unlikely first half hat-trick to win Africa Sports a topsy-turvy game.

Twice the hitman calmly converted penalties, two of three Senegalese referee Abdou Samba Diouf awarded in the game.

In between, Kouassi took advantage of a horrendous defensive mix-up in the Etoile defence to prod the ball into the empty net.

Africa Sports looked liked a team fit to challenge for the Champions League, rather than one that has scuffled around the bottom of Group A for most of the season.

Yet although they pressed throughout the second half, they were unable to add to the scoreline.

Africa Sports' win, combined with Bakili Bullet's home draw to Enyimba, sees the Ivorians leapfrog the Malawians into third place in Group A.

Etoile will find out the identity of their semi-final opponents on Sunday when the runners-up berth in Group B is decided.

Jeanne d'Arc of Senegal and USM Alger of Algeria are in contention.

Group A has already been won by Esperance of Tunisia, who now play Enyimba in the semi-finals.