A goalkeeping blunder by Al Ahly shot-stopper Sherif Ekramy gifted Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas a shocking late winner in their Group A Day Two clash in Alexandria on Tuesday.
Ekramy fumbled with a harmless header from an ensuing counter by the Ivorians in the dying minutes allowing the ball to stroll through his legs for Armand Niamke to score the winner 10 minutes from time, as the Egyptians succumbed to their successive defeat at the group stage.
Ekramy fumbled with a harmless header from an ensuing counter by the Ivorians in the dying minutes allowing the ball to stroll through his legs for Armand Niamke to score the winner 10 minutes from time, as the Egyptians succumbed to their successive defeat at the group stage.
Towering defender Ahmed Hegazy had earlier cancelled Yannick Zakri’s opener few minutes after recess, before the visitors held on to pull a historic win over the record eight time champions.
Ahly, who claimed their ninth Egyptian Premier League barely three days before the clash, appeared to have suffered from the absence of Ramadan Sobhy, Abdullah Said and Gabonese-import Malick Evouna, tasting a second defeat which makes their hopes of a last four berth a tall mountain.
With no point from two games, the Cairo-based club are glued to the bottom of the group with rivals ASEC Mimosas, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco and Zambia’s Zesco having three points apiece. Wydad host Zesco in the group’s other meeting on Wednesday in Casablanca.
The Ivorians made the most of their swift counter attacking play, which was a problem to the host backline. And it paid off as early as the 29th minute when unmarked Zakri bundled home from a Coulibaly Dala assist for the opener.
The homers had to wait till eight minutes after the break to draw even through central defender Hegazy who pounced on a loose ball to riffle home from close range.
Ten minutes from time, Niamke profited from Ekramy’s blunder to score the winner as ASEC returned to winning ways after a lone goal loss at home to Wydad a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, Ahly coach Martin Jol did not absolve goalkeeper Ekramy of blame in their second loss at the pool stage.
“Ekramy hasn’t done his role in the game. ASEC scored their goals from their only two shots on target throughout the game. To concede a goal this way is very difficult. The presence of the fans had a positive effect,” said the Dutchman.
Ahly have a tricky test in two weeks when they play host to Wydad whilst Zesco and ASEC sort things out in Ndola.
Ahly, who claimed their ninth Egyptian Premier League barely three days before the clash, appeared to have suffered from the absence of Ramadan Sobhy, Abdullah Said and Gabonese-import Malick Evouna, tasting a second defeat which makes their hopes of a last four berth a tall mountain.
With no point from two games, the Cairo-based club are glued to the bottom of the group with rivals ASEC Mimosas, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco and Zambia’s Zesco having three points apiece. Wydad host Zesco in the group’s other meeting on Wednesday in Casablanca.
The Ivorians made the most of their swift counter attacking play, which was a problem to the host backline. And it paid off as early as the 29th minute when unmarked Zakri bundled home from a Coulibaly Dala assist for the opener.
The homers had to wait till eight minutes after the break to draw even through central defender Hegazy who pounced on a loose ball to riffle home from close range.
Ten minutes from time, Niamke profited from Ekramy’s blunder to score the winner as ASEC returned to winning ways after a lone goal loss at home to Wydad a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, Ahly coach Martin Jol did not absolve goalkeeper Ekramy of blame in their second loss at the pool stage.
“Ekramy hasn’t done his role in the game. ASEC scored their goals from their only two shots on target throughout the game. To concede a goal this way is very difficult. The presence of the fans had a positive effect,” said the Dutchman.
Ahly have a tricky test in two weeks when they play host to Wydad whilst Zesco and ASEC sort things out in Ndola.
By: Cafonline.com
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