Royal AM were unable to progress to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after a 1-0 loss to TP Mazembe in the second leg of the play-offs on Wednesday evening.
Prior to losing the first-leg 2-0 in Lubumbashi a week ago, Thwihli Thwahla had booked their spot at this stage by edging past Zesco United on away goal rule after a 1-1 draw.
Mazembe meanwhile had dropped down a tier after losing out to Ugandan side Vipers in the Champions League on penalties following a goalless draw on aggregate.
Royal AM showed urgency in the early stages as they put Mazembe under pressure, with threatening corner-kicks.
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The Ravens mostly absorbed the pressure and waited for chances on counter-attacks and Thwihli Thwahla found an opening ten minutes before the interval but goalkeeper Baggio Siadi made a double save to keep the home side at bay.
The Congelese giants eventually took their chance on a counter-attack shortly before the interval after Adam Bossu got past two defenders in the centre from a pass by Kevin Mondeko, broke the deadlock with a strike in the box and made it 3-0 on aggregate with a precious away goal.
Mazembe were hard to break down in the early stages of the second stanza as they contained AM and had a good chance 11 minutes in after Serge Mukoko went through on goal from a counter-attack but he rushed his shot and missed the target.
Pamphile Mihayo's charges continued to frustrate Thwihli Thwahla after the hour-mark, as Siadi was well protected by a resolute defence.
AM's hopes of a comeback were fading in the closing stages, as Mazembe looked more threatening on counter-attacks and they had no response going forward, as they eventually succumbed to a 3-0 loss on aggregate.
The Ravens comfortable booked their spot in the group stages in the end, with President Moise Katumbi in attendance at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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