Ahly edge past Hilal to book semi-final clash with Sundown
AL Ahly secured their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after completing a double over Al Hilal with a 1-0 second-leg win at the Sheikh Bedia Stadium in Mauritania on Tuesday evening.
Having already won the first leg by the same scoreline in Cairo, the defending champions delivered another disciplined performance away from home to seal a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Midfielder Imam Ashour was once again the difference-maker, netting the decisive goal in the 80th minute.
The result sends Al Ahly through to their 21st Champions League semi-final a staggering sixth in a row where they will face familiar foes Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.
The match opened with both sides cautious yet committed, contesting for dominance in the midfield. Al Ahly, led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, looked the more assertive in the early stages.
Ashour then tested Fofana with a thunderous strike from distance minutes later, while Al Hilal threatened just before half-time when a low cross into the box caused panic but was eventually cleared.
After the interval, Al Hilal pushed forward with more urgency. Their best opportunity came in the 64th minute when winger Ahmed Salem broke through one-on-one with Mohamed El Shenawy, only to be denied by the in-form Egyptian international.
Al Ahly weathered the storm and struck the killer blow ten minutes from time.
Substitute Taher Mohamed Taher floated in a perfectly weighted ball into the box, and Ashour made no mistake, slotting home with clinical precision.
Al Ahly now turn their attention to a blockbuster semi-final showdown against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who overcame Esperance de Tunis in their own quarter-final tie.
The two clubs have forged a tense rivalry in recent seasons, and their upcoming encounter is set to draw continental attention once again.—CAF
