CAF Champions League: holding Al Ahly climbs into quarters, Esperance beaten
Egyptian club Al Ahly players on February 11, 2021 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the Club World Cup.
AP
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
5 mins
Nine-time winner of the CAF Champions League and defending champion, Al Ahly secured second place in group A behind Simba thanks to his draw obtained this Saturday, April 3 on the ground of Al Merreikh (2-2 ).
In group C, Horoya and the Kaizer Chiefs will play a final in a week, while in group D, Esperance de Tunis lost for the first time and Mouloudia remain under the threat of Zamalek.
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“
Never doubt our 90th and older curse
,” smiles Al Ahly on social media.
It is true that the Egyptian Red Devils passed very close to a bad surprise this Saturday during their match of the 5th day of the group stage of the CAF Champions League, on the ground of the Sudanese Al Merreikh, already eliminated after three losses and a draw.
Al Ahly snatches his ticket after extra time
Behind the Tanzanian leader Simba, already qualified, Al Ahly had the opportunity to lock his second place in Group A, the last qualifier for the quarter-finals.
For this, the Egyptian club needed only one point, since in the other match, AS Vita Club (4 points) lost to Simba (4-1).
But everything started badly with the opening of the scoring signed by the captain of Al Merreikh, Ramadan Agab (26th).
The locals then made the break thanks to Saifeldin Bakhit, effective in a duel with the goalkeeper (36th).
With a 2-0 loss, Al Ahly remained at 7 points and under the threat of seeing AS Vita Club pass him - with success - on the final day.
But luck turned in favor of the Egyptians.
Al Merreikh missed the 3-0 penalty just before the break.
And then, at the end of the match, Al Ahly reduced the penalty gap by Bard Banoun (81st), before Yasser Ibrahim El Hanafi tore off the equalizer goal (90 + 4th) with his head, and the qualification of his team at the same time.
Horoya and the Kaizer Chiefs for a final
The suspense remains in Group C. The Wydad Casablanca, leader and already qualified, conceded his first defeat on the field of Kaizer Chiefs (1-0).
The Tunisians, beaten by a diving header from Bernard Parker, are in the quarter-finals, but they could only finish second if they lost on the last day.
For their part, Horoya's players provided the essentials by winning on the field of Petro de Luanda (1-0), more than ever red lantern with only one point on the clock.
Sekou Camara, with his head too, offered victory to the Guinean club on his first opportunity (2nd).
Behind Wydad (10 points), Horoya and the Kaizer Chiefs are tied (8 points), the Guinean club ahead of its South African rival on goal difference (+1 against -1).
In their first encounter in Johannesburg, the two teams parted 0-0.
They will meet on April 10 in Guinea on the last day, in a real final for second place.
The Chiefs will need a win to qualify.
Horoya will be able to settle for a draw.
Zamalek relaunches everything
In group D, Esperance de Tunis, already qualified for the quarter-finals, suffered their first setback in the competition against the Senegalese of Teungueth (2-1).
Mohamed Ben Romdhane had yet opened the scoring for the Tunisians (28th).
But Serigne Niang equalized (36th), then Baye Diop scored the winning goal (72nd), Teungueth's first in the competition.
The Rufisque club, however, remains last with 4 points.
Because in the evening, the Egyptians of Zamalek trapped the Mouloudia Club of Algiers on its own ground.
Youssef Ibrahim Obama took the first blow (7th) before being imitated by Shikabala (33rd).
Result: Mouloudia remains at 8 points and sees Zamalek come back with 5 points.
Algerians still have their destiny in hand.
If they beat Esperance or get a draw on the last day, they will see the quarter-finals.
To style the Mouloudia on the wire, Zamalek will have to beat Teungueth and hope for a victory for Esperance.
Qualified for the quarter-finals
Simba (1st group A)
Al Ahly (2nd group A)
Mamelodi Sundowns (1st group B)
Wydad Casablanca (1st or 2nd group C)
Esperance de Tunis (1st or 2nd group D)
Eliminated from the race for the quarter-finals
AS Vita Club (group A)
Al Merreikh (group A)
TP Mazembe (group B)
Petro from Luanda (4th group C)
Teungueth (group D)
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