Defending champions of the CAF Cl, Al Ahly, have taken a huge step to the semi-final of the CAF Champions League in their quest to defend their prestigious crown with a 2-0 home victory over Simba Sc yesterday at the Cairo Sports Stadium.
Ahly, who had beaten a Tanzanian club for the first time in the reverse fixture 1-0, had to avoid defeat in the 2nd leg to ensure that winning back-to-back titles is within their grasp.
True to their ambitions, the Egyptian side outclassed Simba and run out 2-0 victors, winning both legs by a 3-0 aggregate scoreline.
Ale El Solia set the ball rolling for the host when he latched on to a pass from Anthony Modeste, steering his attempt home after 47 minutes to put the record champions in an unassailable position just after the break.
Simba continued to play out of their skins despite going a goal down, dominating possession and looking to lay a glove on the frantic game. But despite Simba’s best efforts, Ahly proved too strong and scored again from the spot with virtually the last kick of the game.
Mahmoud Kahraba’s goal from the spot was the nail in the coffin for Simba, who dominated the ball but lacked the cutting edge in the final third of the field, resulting in their exit from the competition.
Al Ahly advance to the semi-finals with Mamelodi Sundowns, who recorded back to back semi-final appearances in the CAF Champions League for the first-time ever after ousting Young Africans in a pulsating game in South Africa.
The win means that the Red Devils will face either Tp Mazembe or Petro Luanda for a place in the final of the CAF Champions League.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo |univers.ug.edu.gh
