Al Ahly beat Raja Casablanca to keep record extending chase alive
Egyptian giants Al Ahly kept their chase for a record extending 11th title alive with a 2-0 victory over Raja Club Athletic in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-final on Saturday night.
Mohamed Abdelmonem and Hamdi Fathi were on target in either half in Cairo to give their side an early advantage heading into next weekend’s return fixture in Casablanca.
Abdelmonem broke the deadlock at the stroke of halftime, towering above his marker to thump home a header from an Ali Maaloul cross from the left.
The home side was rewarded for their industry in the opening half, having commanded 60pc of the possession.
But, Raja had two close chances to score, which would have changed the face of the game. Mohamed Nahiri had a stinging free-kick from distance brilliantly saved by Mohamed Elshenawy early on.
The Ahly keeper was called into action again when Walid Sabbar released Mohamed Zrida through on goal, but the custodian made another brilliant save to keep his side in the game.
On the other end, Ahly had a goal disallowed when Kahraba deflected a cross into the net, but it was ruled out for offside.
In the second half Ahly looked to consolidate their lead and they did so six minutes from time when Fathi was picked out by a brilliant lofted ball from Percy Tau and he made no mistake with a brilliant volley.
CAF online
