Al Ahly signed off group phase of African Champions League with a 1-0 win over Simba SC at Cairo International Stadium on Friday night.
Following a quiet start, the Red Devils set forward quite randomly with Hussein El Shahat edging close to the opener through a near-post strike inside the area after a cutback from Junior Ajayi.
Simba created a more glaring opportunity towards the half-hour mark when a header from Meddie Kagere following a corner-kick produced a goal-line clearance from Badr Benoun.
Mohamed Sherif showcased his offensive ability soon when he broke the deadlock for the hosts on the 32 minutes through a well-worked finish from inside the box.
Al Ahly should’ve had a second soon thereafter from a flowing move through the middle, but Aliou Dieng as well as Amr El Sulaya failed to pounce.
Clatous Chama almost scored an equalizer for Simba five minutes before the break after dribbling his way towards the box but his curling shot also sailed over the bar and the sides went to the break without goals.
With the hosts were playing on counter-attacks coming from the break, Mohamed Magdi had the best chance of the game for AL Ahly just before the hour-mark after getting a cut-back from Taher Mohamed unmarked at the back post but somehow he miscued his strike wide in front of an open net.
Mohamed had a wonderful chance to extend the lead for Pitso Mosimane’s charges with 19 minutes left after a cross by Salah Mohsen found him unmarked in the centre of the box but his header missed just wide of the far post.
Louis Miquissone had a chance for Simba in the last four minutes after he was setup by Francis Kahata inside the box but his strike was saved by Mohamed El Shennawi, as Al Ahly revenged the first-leg loss.
How they lined up:
Ahly: Mohamed El Shennawi – Ahmed “Beckham” Ramadan , Badr Benoun,Rami Rabia, Ayman Ashraf – Aliou Dieng, Amr El Sulaya, Hussein El Shahat (Akram Tawfik 74), Mohamed “Afsha” Magdi (Walid Soliman 81), Junior Ajayi (Taher Mohamed Taher 46) – Mohamed Sherif (Salah Mohsen 74).
Simba: 28-Manula, 12-Kapombe, 15-Hussein, 16-Onyango, 6-Wawa, 18-Nyoni (7-Mugalu 81), 17-Chama, 20-Mkude (25-Mzimero 54), 14-Kagere, 8-Bwalya (25-Kahata, 46), 11-Miquissone
.
