Al-Ahly, Pirates, Pyramids secure wins in Champions League quarters
Al Ahly emerged as 1-0 winners over Al Hilal Omdurman in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg match played at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on Tuesday night.
As a result, the Egyptian football powerhouse took a first-leg advantage in the tie and they will carry a slender aggregate lead into the second-leg match, which will be played in Mauritania on April 8.
Al Hilal, on the other hand, will be keen to overcome the deficit when the Sudanese giants play host to Al Ahly at their temporary home ground, Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium.
The Red Eagles launched most of their attacks down the wide areas applying pressure on Blue Wave’s full-backs and lanky centre forward,s Nejc Gradisar, and Wessam Abou Ali were the focal point of the hosts’ attack.
The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute when goalkeeper Issa Fofana parried a cross from the right into Mohamed Hani’s path and the right-back scored with a rasping shot. Al Ahly were 1-0 up at half-time.
Both teams launched attacks after the restart as Rami Ramia was denied by Fofana in the 64th minute, and at the other end, Jean Girumugisha’s attempt was saved by veteran keeper Mohamed El-Shennawy in the 66th minute.
Coach Florent Ibenge introduced Altayeb Abaker in the 88th minute as Al Hilal looked to snatch a late equalising goal. However, the reigning African champions stood firm and they emerged as 1-0 winners on the night.
The only away win of the day came at the July 5, 1962 Stadium in Algiers, as South Africa’s Orlando Pirates defeated MC Alger 1-0, courtesy of a goal midway through the second half from rising star Mohau Nkota.
The biggest winning margin in the first legs was secured by Pyramids FC, who thumped ASFAR 4-1 at the June 30, Stadium in Cairo to put one foot in the final four.
The second-leg matches will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday April 8 and 9 next week.
—africanfootball
