Al Ahly managed to qualify to the Egyptian Cup’s round of 16 after defeating Al Nasr 2-1 at Alexandria Stadium on Wednesday.
Walid Soliman, our veteran, gave us the lead in the 45th minute before Al Nasr’s Ahmed El Saidy leveled the score in the 54th minute.
However, we spurned a slew of goal-scoring chances before Walter Bwalya, our Congolese striker, netted the winning goal to secure our qualification to the competition’s round of 16.
Forced substitution
Al Ahly had the upper hand since the beginning of the game, as we were seeking to score the opener in the early minutes of the match.
In the 12th minute Akram Tawfik, our midfielder, was forced to leave the pitch after picking up an injury in his arm.
Pitso Mosimane, our head coach, was forced to use his bench as he replaced Tawfik with Aliou Dieng.
The Red Eagles continued on controlling the game’s tempo while searching for the opening goal.
In the 21st minute, our striker Marwan Mohsen latched a sensational pass to Salah Mohsen, who was about to net the opener, but his shot went away from the opponent’s net.
The opener
The Red Eagles upped the pressure, while Al Nasr SC’s defenders stood their ground and kept all our attempts away from their net.
In the 47th minute, the final chance fell to our veteran Walid Soliman who managed to break the deadlock from a sensational left-footed half volley after a weak defensive clearance fell into his path.
Second half
Against the run of play, Al Nasr SC’s Ahmed El Saidy equalized the score in the 54th minute while being unmarked at the far post.
Pitso Mosimane, our head coach, looked into his bench in the 61st minute, when Walter Bwalya and Mahmoud Kaharab came on for Walid Soliman and Salah Mohsen.
The Red Eagles were on the front foot during the second half and surged forward to score the winner.
Once again Mosimane used his bench as Afsha and Mohamed Sherif joined the game instead of Nasser Maher and Marwan Mohsen.
After missing the opponent’s net several times, Walter Bwalya, our Congolese striker, had the last word and netted the winner with seven minutes remaining on the clock to secure our qualification.
Mini Match:
Venue: Alexandria Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Abbas Qabil
Al Ahly’s starting line-up:
Ali Lotfy - Ahmed Ramadan Beckham - Ramy Rabia - Marwan Mohsen - Walid Soliman - Salah Mohsen - Saad Samir - Nasser Maher - Akram Tawfik - Taher Mohamed Taher - Ahmed Nabil Koka
Subs:
Mahmoud Kahraba – Mohamed Sherif – Badr Benoun – Aliou Dieng – Afsha – Walter Bwalya – Mostafa Shobier – Mohamed Hossam Mido - Abdelrahman Ashraf Mano
Substitutions:
Akram Tawfik (Aliou Dieng)
Salah Mohsen (Mahmoud Kahraba)
Walid Soimna (Walter Bwalya)
Nasser Maher (Afsha)
Marwan Mohsen (Mohamed Sherif)
Goals:
Walid Soliman 47’(Al Ahly)
Ahmed El Saidy 54’ (Al Nasr SC)
Walter Bwalya 83’ (Al Ahly)
Yellow Cards:
Ahmed Nabil Koka
With that result, Al Ahly will face Ennpi in the Egyptian Cup’s round of 16.
