A first half strike from Waleed Soliman was enough for Egyptian giants Al Ahly, to see off Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel on Saturday in Suez and also go top of Group A.
Soliman volleyed home from his unreliable right foot six minutes past the half-hour mark to ensure Ahly maintain their unbeaten run at the mini-league stage and remain on course for a place at the last four.
Ahly has seven points from three games, one more than Etoile, who tasted their maiden defeat at the pool stage.
Soliman volleyed home from his unreliable right foot six minutes past the half-hour mark to ensure Ahly maintain their unbeaten run at the mini-league stage and remain on course for a place at the last four.
Ahly has seven points from three games, one more than Etoile, who tasted their maiden defeat at the pool stage.
The Cairo-based side recovered from a poor start and take control towards the end of the first half. Earlier, goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy was forced to make a good save to deny Youssef Mouihbi the opener on the quarter hour mark.
On 36 minutes, Soliman profited from an aerial clearance by Etoile defender Ammar Jemal, controlled with his chest before volleying past Aymen Mathlouthi for the strike that separated the two sides.
Veteran midfielder Hossam Ghaly could have doubled the lead for Ahly minutes later, but fumbled after Abdullah El Said had put him through.
On the stroke of half time, El Said unleashed a shot which ricocheted off the post only for Mathlouthi to thwart him from the rebound.
The second half witnessed a balanced action with both sides failing to create real chances at goal.
However, Ekramy was on hand to ensure the three points stayed in his side’s pocket with a superb save off Ghazi Abdelrazzek in the closing stages whilst Ahly substitute Ahmed Abdelzaher blasted wide in stoppage time at the other end.
Fixtures
Group A
25.07.2015 19H00 Al Ahly (Egypt) 1-0 Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
25.07.2015 19H45 Esperance (Tunisia) vs Stade Malien (Mali)
Group B
26.07.2015 19H30 Zamalek (Egypt) vs AC Leopards (Congo)
26.07.2015 20H30 CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
*All times are in local time
On 36 minutes, Soliman profited from an aerial clearance by Etoile defender Ammar Jemal, controlled with his chest before volleying past Aymen Mathlouthi for the strike that separated the two sides.
Veteran midfielder Hossam Ghaly could have doubled the lead for Ahly minutes later, but fumbled after Abdullah El Said had put him through.
On the stroke of half time, El Said unleashed a shot which ricocheted off the post only for Mathlouthi to thwart him from the rebound.
The second half witnessed a balanced action with both sides failing to create real chances at goal.
However, Ekramy was on hand to ensure the three points stayed in his side’s pocket with a superb save off Ghazi Abdelrazzek in the closing stages whilst Ahly substitute Ahmed Abdelzaher blasted wide in stoppage time at the other end.
Fixtures
Group A
25.07.2015 19H00 Al Ahly (Egypt) 1-0 Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
25.07.2015 19H45 Esperance (Tunisia) vs Stade Malien (Mali)
Group B
26.07.2015 19H30 Zamalek (Egypt) vs AC Leopards (Congo)
26.07.2015 20H30 CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
*All times are in local time
By: Cafonline.com
RSS Feed