Al Ahly’s football first team achieved an important 1-0 victory over US Monastir at Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in the first leg of the CAF Champions League round of 32 on Sunday. 

The Reds had the upper hand in most parts of the game, as we controlled ball possession and created several dangerous chances until Mohamed Abdelmonem scored our winning goal.

The Eagles entered the game looking forward to scoring an early goal, as they kept rotating the ball in the opponent’s half. However, US Monastir’s players stood their ground and denied our players from any goal scoring opportunity.

Towards the end of the first half, our players began to increase their pressure from the left flank, where Ahmed Abdelkader, Ali Maaloul, and Bruno Savio found each other and created several dangerous chances. 

The second half started where we left off in the first half; however, US Monastir’s player began to gradually create several chances.

In the 64th minute of the game, Marcel Koller used his bench for the first time, as Mohamed Sherif replaced Shady Hussein.

Thirteen minutes later, Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Hossam Hassan entered the pitch instead of Bruno Savio and Ahmed Abdelkader. 

In the dying minutes of the game, Ali Maaloul sent a brilliant cross from a free-kick inside the opponent’s box which Abdelmonem managed to convert into the net with an amazing header.