CAF Champions League
Relentless Ahly grind out crucial first-leg win over Al-Hilal in Cairo
Mohamed Hani’s first-half strike was enough to give Ahly a 1-0 victory over Sudan’s Al-Hilal in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday at Cairo International Stadium.
The record 12-time African champions, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive continental title, ended a three-match winless run with a disciplined performance in front of their home crowd.
Hani scored the winner in the 11th minute, firing a powerful left-footed shot into the net after Al-Hilal goalkeeper Issa Fofana failed to hold onto Emam Ashour’s curling cross from the right flank.
Ahly started brightly, nearly opening the scoring earlier through Achraf Bencharki, whose header inside the box was well saved by Fofana in the 8th minute. The home side continued to dominate possession, with Moroccan left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah a frequent outlet on the left.
Emam Ashour, a constant threat, missed a golden opportunity to double Ahly’s lead in the 15th minute when he went one-on-one with the keeper, only to be denied again by Fofana.
Despite their early control, the Egyptian giants were unable to add to their lead, and Al-Hilal gradually grew into the game. Jean Claude Girumugisha had the visitors’ best chance just before the break, but his low shot from inside the area was comfortably handled by Mohamed El Shennawy.
Al-Hilal, forced to play their home fixtures in Mauritania due to the conflict in Sudan, showed resilience and commitment but struggled to create clear chances. Coach Florent Ibenge made a double substitution just past the hour mark to inject fresh energy, introducing Adama Coulibaly and Abdelrazig Omer.
Girumugisha came close again in the 77th minute, dragging a shot narrowly wide from the right side of the box, while Ahly substitute Nejc Gradisar tested Al-Hilal with a low effort that drifted past the post.
Late yellow cards for Rabia and Omar Kamal reflected the intensity of the closing stages, but Ahly held firm through six minutes of added time.
The win puts Ahly in a favourable position heading into the return leg, as they chase a record-extending 13th CAF Champions League crown.
Al-Hilal, who topped their group despite challenging circumstances, will need a stronger offensive display in the second leg if they are to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2015.
-Ahram
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Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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