Al Ahly managed to defeat Al Merrikh SC of Sudan 3-0 tonight in our opening game of the CAF Champions League group stage.

The Red Eagles came out on top of Group A after today’s victory after scoring three goals in the match.

In the 6th minute, our first scoring chance came, but Mohamed Magdy Afsha missed Walter Bwalya’s cross.  

During most parts of the first half, the game was tightened in the midfield as both teams were trying to score the first goal. 

We had another scoring chance in the 20th minute, as Afsha’s shot went over the bar to keep the goalless draw going. 

In the second half, Al Ahly continued to pass the ball around as we pinned the Sudanese team in their box. In the 52nd minute, we missed a dangerous scoring chance as Junior Ajayi’s header barely missed the bar.

Four minutes later, Mohamed Hany delivered a brilliant cross, aimed for Afsha, who put the ball into the net to open the score. 

The visitors mustered their first effort of the game immediately with a strong shot, but our goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy swept the ball away to keep our net clean. 

In the 63rd minute, Ajayi controlled the ball and provided a beautiful assist to Mahmoud Kahraba, who handed us a 2-0 lead. 

We kept our pressure on the Sudanese team, and in the 71st  minute, Bwalya’s moment of glory came as he managed to open his goalscoring tally with a first-time left-footed effort from inside the box. 

Our head coach Pitso Mosimane used his bench in the 78th minute as Akram Tawfik, Marwan Mohsen and Saad Samir joined the game instead of Badr Benoun, Afsha, and Kahraba. 

In the 78th minute, Al Merrikh had a dangerous scoring opportunity, but as always El Shenawy was there when called upon. 

Mosimane made another two substitutions in the 83rd minute as Ahmed Ramadan Beckham and Mohamed Sherif joined the game instead of Bwalya and Hany. 

The final minutes went on and Al Ahly had no time to score more goals, as the referee blew his final whistle to declare an important victory for the Red Eagles.