CS Sfaxien celebrate winning the Confederation Cup

The solitary goal came on 86 minutes when defender Amir Messaoud struck home off a free kick in the Mediterranean town of Sfax.

Traditionally poor travellers, Merreikh did well to contain the Tunisians after entering the return match with little hope having lost the first leg 4-2 in Omdurman.

Tunisian captain and midfielder Abdelkrim Nafti boasted before the second match that Merreikh were wasting their time turning up as Sfaxien could field a reserve team and still triumph.

The 5-2 aggregate victory margin is greater than any other registered in the final of the competition.

CS Sfaxien striker Blese Koua fights for the ball

Fellow Tunisians Etoile du Sahel were shock winners of the Champions League recently, depriving Egyptian giants Al Ahly of a record third consecutive title with a 3-1 victory in Cairo after a goalless first encounter.

Sfaxien, one of the 'big four' in Tunisia with Etoile, Esperance and Club Africain, entered the Confederation Cup decider desperate to succeed following a heartbreaking loss to Ahly last year in the Champions League final.

It was the second African title for Sfaxien after defeating Jeanne d'Arc of Senegal 3-0 at home and 1-0 away in the 1998 Caf Cup.

They will now tackle Etoile on 23 February in Sousse for the Super Cup.

This one-off match pits the Champions League winners against the Confederation Cup holders.

Losing both legs of the final completed a miserable month for Merreikh, who have dominated Sudanese football for decades with 2007 African Champions League semi-finalists Al Hilal.