Ahly advance despite Jimma Aba Jifar loss

Eight-time winners, Al Ahly, progressed to the group stages despite suffering a lone goal loss against Ethiopian champions Jimma Aba Jifar in Addis Ababa on Sunday. The Egyptian giants managed to win the doubleheader 2-1 on aggregate.

Jimma Aba Jifar started the duel on a bright note as Ghanaian import Bismarck Appiah forced an early save from Sherif Ekramy two minutes into the game. Ahly responded within a second through Ahmed Gaber who sent his powerful strike from the edge of the box over the bar.

Three minutes later, Islam Mohareb came close to opening the scoring but his effort sailed wide. With Al Ahly struggling to get clear cut chances the opening exchange saw Jimma Aba Jifar dominating the field of play.

In the 14th minute, Ekramy was called to action to deny Appiah from scoring with a volley. The homers stayed the dominant force for the reminder of the interval but the visitors were too good in defending and locking their opponents up from staring the build-up. The tempo of the encounter slowed down till Jimma Aba Jifar took a surprising lead at stroke of half time. A goalmouth scramble found unmarked Asechalew Girma who set up Ivorian forward Didier Lebri to found the back of the net and hand Jimma the lead.

Ahly started off the second stanza on the strongest possible way with the introduction of striker Walid Azaro. Yihun Endeshaw made a crucial tackle inside the box to block Azaro's goal bound strike in the 53rd minute. Three minutes later, Elias Ataro saw his effort sailing over the cross bar.

Six minutes after the hour mark, Jimma Aba Jifar should have gone 2-0 up however, they were let down by a poor attacking proficiency. Girma's low drive was easily collected by a calm Ekramy.

Jimma defenders cleared the ball off the line before Salif Coulibaly struck it in from close range in 74th minute. The home side pushed forward to get the decisive goal in the last 15 minutes but Ahly back line put them at bay. Azaro spurred a chance in what could have been the leveler two minutes before full time.

The 2018 Total Champions League runner-ups marched on to the group stages while continental football debutants Jimma Aba Jifar are demoted to the Total Confederation Cup last round qualifier as they keep their maiden African journey alive.