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Nine-time CAF Champions League winner and title holder, Al Ahly secured second place in Group A behind Simba thanks to his draw obtained this Saturday, April 3, on Al Merreikh’s ground (2-2). In Group C, Horoya and Kaizer Chiefs will play a final within a week, while in Group D, Esperance de Tunis lost for the first time and Mouloudia is still threatened by Zamalek.
“Never doubt our 90s and older curse,” Al Ahly smiles on social media. It is true that the Egyptian red devils passed very close to a bad surprise on Saturday during their match on the 5th day of the group stage of the CAF Champions League, on the ground of Sudanese Al Merreikh, already eliminated after three setbacks and a draw.
Al Ahly takes 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 quarterfinals. For this, the club Egypt needed a single point, as AS Vita Club (4 points) in the second match bowed to Simba (4-1).
But it all started badly when the point was opened by Al Merreikh’s captain, Ramadan Agab (26th). The home crowd was not pleased with that one. Saifeldin Bakhit then had a third chance at scoring, but a last ditch challenge made sure that he didnt. With a 2-0 loss, Al Ahly stopped at 7 points and was threatened to see the ASVita Club pass him – successfully – on the final day.
But the turn turned to the Egyptians. Al Merreikh missed the 3-0 penalty just before the break. And then, at the end of the match, Al Ahly narrowed the gap on the penalty spot by Bard Banoun (81st), before Yasser Ibrahim El Hanafi struck off the equalizer (90 + 4th) and the header … by his team at the same time .
Horoya and Kaizer Chiefs for a final
The tension remains in Group C. WydadCasablanca, leader and already qualified, admitted his first defeat on the field for the Kaizer Chiefs (1-0). The Tunisians, who were beaten by a diving head from Bernard Parker, are in the quarterfinals, but they could only finish second if they lost on the last day.
For their part, Horoya’s players gave the essentials by winning on Petro deLuanda’s pitch (1-0), more than ever red lantern with just one point on the clock. Sekou Camara, also in the lead, offered victory to the Guinean club at his first opportunity (2nd).
Behind Wydad (10 points) are Horoya and Kaizer Chiefs equal (8 points), the Guinean club defeats its South African rival by a goal difference (+1 against -1). In their first meeting in Johannesburg, the two teams shared 0-0. They will be on April 10 in Guinea on the last day, during a real final for second place. Chiefs need a win to qualify. Horoya can be happy with a draw.
Zamalek restarts everything
In Group D, Esperance de Tunis, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals, suffered its first turn in the competition against Senegalese Teungueth (2-1). Mohamed Ben Romdhane had still opened the scoring for the Tunisians (28th). But Serigne Niang equalized (36th), then BayeDiop scored the winning goal (72nd), Teungueth’s first in the competition. However, the Rufisque club is still last with 4 points.
Because in the evening, the Egyptians in the Zamalek captured the Mouloudia club in Algiers on their own land. Youssef Ibrahim Obama took the first blow (7th) before being imitated by Shikabala (33rd). Result: Mouloudia is left with 8 points and sees Zamalek come back with 5 points. Algeria still has its fate in hand. If they beat Esperance or get the score for a draw on the last day, they will see the quarterfinals. To design Mouloudia on the thread, Zamalek must beat Teungueth and hope for a victory for Esperance.
Qualified for the quarterfinals
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 quarterfinals
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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