Al Ahly managed to reach the CAF Champions League final after defeating Tunisia’s Esperance 3-0 at Al Ahly WE Al Salam Stadium in the semi-finals' second leg.
Ali Maaloul broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, as he netted the opener from the spot. We kept our pressure and in the 56th minute, Mohamed Sherif doubled the score, before Hussien El Shahat bagged the third in the 62nd-minute gift us a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The Start
The game started with a high tempo, as Esperance was trying to score the opener in the game's early minutes.
In the 14th minute, Akram Tawfik lofted a pass to Sherif, but our Esperance’s defense managed to deflect the ball away.
Esperance then kept their pressure, and in the 27th minute, El Shenawy was needed, as he made a crucial save and blocked Benguit’s shot away from his net.
Nine minutes later, the game saw a turning point. The Red Eagles were awarded a penalty after a late challenge from Ilyes Chetti against Taher Mohamed Taher inside the penalty area.
The Referee showed the red card for Chetti, and Esperance were forced to continue the game with a 10-men squad.
Ali Maaloul then was able to convert the penalty into the net, giving us the lead with just 38 minutes on the clock.
Second half
The second half kicked off with Pitso Mosimane using his bench, as Hussien El Shahat joined the game instead of Taher Mohamed Taher, who received a yellow card during the first half.
The game was tightened in the midfield, as both teams were exchanging in the ball, failing to have any clear chances.
The Red Eagles then upped their pressure and in the 56th minute, Afsha latched a brilliant pass to Sherif, who smashed the ball into the net.
Afsha was in a good run of form tonight, as he sent another impressive pass to El Shahat, who lofted the ball over the keeper to add another goal to our tally.
In the 67th minute, Mosimane used his bench again, as Ramy Rabia, Walid Soliman, and Mahmoud Kahraba joined the field instead of Sherif, Afsha, and Ayman Ashraf.
Al Ahly had the upper hand in the game and managed to control the tempo. We kept our pressure as we were seeking to add more goals, but Esperance’s defense blocked our attempts.
The minutes went on, and the referee blew his final whistle, declaring a comfortable 3-0 victory which sent us to the CAF Champions League final.
Mini Match
Venue: Al Ahly WE Al Salam Stadium
Referee: Alioum Alioum
Occasion: Second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-finals
Starting lineup: Mohamed El Shenawy- Ali Maaloul- Ayman Ashraf- Badr Benoun- Akram Tawfik - Amr El Soulia - Hamdy Fathy - Aliou Dieng - Taher Mohamed Taher – Afsha- Mohamed Sherif
Substitutions:
Ali Lotfy – Ramy Rabia – Yasser Ibrahim – Mahmoud Wahid – Salah Mohsen – Kahraba – Hussien El Shahat – Walid Soliman – Ajayi.
Goals:
Ali Maaloul ‘36
Mohamed Sherif ‘56
Hussien El Shahat ‘62
Yellow Cards:
Taher Mohamed Taher
Red Cards:
Ilyes Chetti
Next Game:
Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Champions League final, scheduled on 17 July.
