Al Ahly edge Al Hilal in Cairo to claim narrow first-leg advantage
Published:
Record African champions Al Ahly secured a slim 1-0 win over Sudan’s Al Hilal in their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday night.
Right-back Mohamed Hany proved to be the difference, scoring the game’s only goal in the 11th minute with a composed left-footed finish from the centre of the box, finding the top corner after a flowing move.
Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, the Egyptian giants were unable to add to their tally, as Al Hilal defended resolutely and kept themselves within touching distance heading into the second leg in Omdurman.
Al Ahly's attacking trio of Emam Ashour, Achraf Bencharki, and Wessam Abou Ali threatened frequently in the first half, with Bencharki seeing a header saved and Ashour testing the goalkeeper with a curling shot.
However, clear-cut chances were limited after the break as the match became more physical and fragmented.
The Sudanese side had opportunities of their own, with Jean Girumugisha and Steven Ebuela going close, but they failed to capitalise on their moments in the final third.
Substitutions and stoppages disrupted the flow in the second half, as both sides made tactical changes in search of an edge.
Al Hilal’s hopes were further dampened by injuries to Taieb Ben Zitoun and Salah Adil, forcing early changes to their defensive structure.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, introduced fresh legs late on to preserve their advantage and maintain defensive discipline.
The result gives Al Ahly a slender lead heading into next week’s second leg, where they’ll face a stern test in a hostile environment as they bid to progress to the semi-finals.
