Egypt’s Al Ahly who played without their foreign players were simply sensational as they beat their hosts, Stade d’Abidjan 3-1 in a CAF Champions League match on Saturday.

Their foreign players missed the encounter for various reasons. According to reports from Egyptian media before the match, the Moroccan trio of defender Achraf Dari, fullback Yahya Attiat Allah, and winger Reda Slim as well as South Africa’s Percy Tau were all excluded from the trip to Abidjan.

Dari reportedly was suffering from a hamstring injury, while the other two Moroccans were to undergo surgeries on their face and knee, respectively.

Percy Tau was also excluded from the list, as he prepared to complete his move to the Qatari league.

Also, the Tunisian fullback, Ali Maaloul was excluded, as was yet to re-register for Ahly’s local and continental competitions.

But the absence of those players did not matter on Saturday as a super-charged Ahly got a massive away win.

Imam Ashour’s sensational hat-trick inspired Al Ahly to a 3-1 comeback win, moving the reigning champions closer to the quarter-finals.

The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute through Saint-Jean Corre, but Ashour equalized early in the second half with a clinical finish.

The Egyptian midfielder doubled his tally in the 73rd minute with a towering header off a Khaled Abdel Fattah cross.

Ashour sealed his hat-trick deep into injury time, firing a powerful shot after a swift counterattack. The win propels Al Ahly to 10 points, temporarily topping Group C, while Stade d’Abidjan remains at the bottom with just one point.

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MC Alger of Algeria kept their quarter-final aspirations alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Congo’s  TP Mazembe in their CAF Champions League Group A clash on Friday.

Akram Bouras scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 36th minute at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962, ensuring Mouloudia moved to eight points, consolidating second place in the group.

Mazembe, meanwhile, remain winless with just two points, sealing their elimination from the competition.

The opening exchanges saw both teams struggle to impose themselves. Mazembe created the first real chance in the 22nd minute, but Bongeli Beenga’s cross went unmet.

Mouloudia found their breakthrough in the 36th minute when Tayeb Meziani was brought down in the box, prompting referee Abongile Tom to award a penalty.

Bouras stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick to the top centre of the net, igniting celebrations among the home crowd.

The Congolese side showed greater urgency in the second half but lacked precision in front of goal.

Jean Diouf came close in the 73rd minute, but Mouloudia goalkeeper Abdelkader Menezla produced a stunning save to preserve his side’s lead.

Mouloudia could have doubled their advantage late on, with Zakaria Naidji and Andy Delort both hitting the woodwork in the final moments of the game.

With Al Hilal of Sudan already qualified, MC Alger’s victory sets up a tense final group stage matchday. The Algerian side will travel to Dar es Salaam to face Young Africans, who sit in third place with four points.

Mazembe’s disappointing campaign ends with a home fixture against Al Hilal, with pride being their only incentive.

-CAF

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The penultimate round of the CAF Champions League group stage kicks off on Friday, with teams across all groups battling to secure quarter-final spots. 

Al Hilal of Sudan is the only team assured of progression, leaving the other clubs fighting for the remaining slots.

Group A
Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman, already through to the quarterfinals, host Young Africans on Sunday in a clash that could shape the final standings.

Al Hilal leads the group with 10 points and will aim to solidify their dominance. Young Africans, buoyed by their comeback win over TP Mazembe on Matchday 4, need a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Meanwhile, MC Alger will look to strengthen their position when they host Mazembe on Friday. A win for the Algerians would move them closer to securing the second quarter-final slot.

Group B
Morocco’s FAR Rabat will seek to secure their place in the next round when they host Raja Casablanca in a high-stakes Moroccan derby on Saturday.

FAR Rabat sits atop the group with eight points and needs just a draw to advance. Raja, coming off a narrow victory over Mamelodi Sundowns, will aim to avenge their first-round loss to their domestic rivals. Sundowns travel to Congo to face Maniema Union, with both sides desperate for points to remain in contention.

Group C
Orlando Pirates lead Group C but face a tough test at home against CR Belouizdad on Sunday.

The Pirates, on eight points, can secure qualification with a win. Belouizdad, sitting two points behind, will look to build on their dramatic victory over Al Ahly.

The Egyptian title holders, now third in the group, must defeat bottom-placed Stade d’Abidjan on Saturday to avoid a shock early exit.

Group D
Group D remains finely poised, with Pyramids and Esperance tied on seven points. Pyramids travel to Angola to face Sagrada Esperança on Saturday, needing a draw to book their spot in the next round. Sagrada, on five points, will look to capitalize on home advantage. Meanwhile, Esperance will visit Djoliba on Sunday, seeking to rebound from their loss to Pyramids and secure their qualification.

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Matchday 5 Fixtures

Group A

• MC Alger v TP Mazembe – 10 Jan, 19:00 GMT
• Al Hilal Omdurman v Young Africans – 12 Jan, 19:00 GMT

Group B

• Maniema Union v Mamelodi Sundowns – 11 Jan, 13:00 GMT
• FAR Rabat v Raja Casablanca – 11 Jan, 19:00 GMT

Group C

• Stade d’Abidjan v Al Ahly – 11 Jan, 16:00 GMT
• Orlando Pirates v CR Belouizdad – 12 Jan, 13:00 GMT

Group D

• Sagrada Esperança v Pyramids – 11 Jan, 16:00 GMT
• Djoliba v Esperance – 12 Jan, 16:00 GMT

-CAF

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