Al Ahly edge past Al Hilal again to book semi-final clash with Sundowns
Al Ahly secured their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after completing a double over Al Hilal with a 1-0 second-leg win at the Sheikh Bedia Stadium in Mauritania on Tuesday evening.
Having already won the first leg by the same scoreline in Cairo, the defending champions delivered another disciplined performance away from home to seal a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Midfielder Imam Ashour was once again the difference-maker, netting the decisive goal in the 80th minute.
The result sends Al Ahly through to their 21st Champions League semi-final – a staggering sixth in a row – where they will face familiar foes Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. Tense first half in Mauritania
The match opened with both sides cautious yet committed, contesting for dominance in the midfield. Al Ahly, led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, looked the more assertive in the early stages.
Slovenian forward Nijk Gradishar came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 9th minute, latching onto a misplaced pass and unleashing a fierce shot that forced a strong save from Ivorian goalkeeper Issa Fofana.
Imam Ashour, who had been instrumental in the first leg, briefly sparked concern after taking a knock in an aerial challenge.
The 30-year-old recovered quickly and remained influential throughout the match.
Al Ahly carved out a golden chance in the 34th minute when a low cross evaded both Gradishar and Wissam Abu Ali at close range.
Ashour then tested Fofana with a thunderous strike from distance minutes later, while Al Hilal threatened just before half-time when a low cross into the box caused panic but was eventually cleared. Ashour strikes late to seal tie
After the interval, Al Hilal pushed forward with more urgency. Their best opportunity came in the 64th minute when winger Ahmed Salem broke through one-on-one with Mohamed El Shenawy, only to be denied by the in-form Egyptian international.
Al Ahly weathered the storm and struck the killer blow ten minutes from time.
Substitute Taher Mohamed Taher floated in a perfectly weighted ball into the box, and Ashour made no mistake, slotting home with clinical precision.
Despite Al Hilal's late flurry and eight minutes of stoppage time, Al Ahly held firm. Ahmed Reda came close to doubling the lead in injury time, but Fofana's quick reflexes kept the scoreline respectable. Eyes on Sundowns showdown
Al Ahly now turn their attention to a blockbuster semi-final showdown against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, who overcame Esperance de Tunis in their own quarter-final tie.
The two clubs have forged a tense rivalry in recent seasons, and their upcoming encounter is set to draw continental attention once again.
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