Cairo (AFP)
Al-Ahly began the campaign to defend its title with a 4-0 win against its guest, the Ivorian club Abidjan Stadium, while Pyramids defeated its guest, Angola’s Sagrada Esperanza, by 5, in a flood of Egyptian goals, in the opening round of the group stage of the African Football Champions League.
The Royal Army won the “Morocco Clasico” by defeating host Raja Athletic Club 1-0 at the top of the round, and Al Hilal of Sudan achieved a valuable victory outside its bases over Young Africans of Tanzania with two goals.
At the Cairo International Stadium in the third group, Al-Ahly of Egypt, searching for the third title in a row and the thirteenth in its history, needed 26 minutes to resolve its confrontation, its first confrontation against its guest, the Abidjan Stadium, returning to participate after more than half a century.
The Egyptian team scored a quick hat-trick, started by Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba”, with a strong shot into the net, following a cross from Mohamed Magdy Afsha (14).
Five minutes later, Afsha added the second goal for the hosts, following a pass from Taher Mohamed Taher (21), and Hussein Al-Shahat increased the defending champion’s lead by following up on Kahraba’s pass into the net (26).
The Ivorian team, which won the title in 1966, reduced the score through Cassum Kone with a header out of the reach of veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, following a cross from Gilles Kouyate (30).
Four minutes after the start of the second half, Kahraba scored a distinguished goal, after meeting Khaled Abdel Fattah’s cross with a scissor (49).
Abidjan Stadium reduced the gap again, when Roger Assaly kicked the ball with his foot into El-Shenawy’s net, following a grave error in Al-Ahly’s defense by clearing the ball (55).
In the same group, CS Belouizdad of Algeria achieved a disappointing start by losing to its guest, Orlando Pirates of South Africa, 1-2, at the 5th of July Stadium in Algiers.
The visiting team owes its victory to striker Maho Nkota, who scored two goals (5 and 27), and the score for the Red and White team was reduced by South African striker Khanisa Mayo (66).
In its second participation in the group stage, Egyptian Pyramids achieved the largest victory in its history, when it defeated its guest Sagrada of Angola 5-1 at the Air Defense Stadium in the fourth group.
The Egyptian team presented a strong performance, especially in the second half, as it confirmed that it would be a strong competitor for one of the two quarter-final tickets, in a group that also includes Esperance of Tunisia and Djoliba of Mali.
Pyramids began their scoring festival with a header by Ibrahim Adel, following a corner kick sent by Moroccan full-back Mohamed El Chebbi (18).
The landowners continued their pressure and opportunities without succeeding in changing the result in the first half, unlike the second half of the match, as Mohamed Hamdi added the second with a shot from the left of the area after a ball from Ibrahim Adel (50).
Ibrahim Adel continued his brilliance, scoring his second personal goal and the third for his team, with a wonderful shot into the net with a pass from Muhannad Lashin (74), and then two minutes later he strengthened the Democratic Congolese Feiston Maili, following a series of passes between Adel and Ramadan Sobhi (76), and Ahmed Atef concluded the Pyramids quintet. After a perfect pass from Ramadan Sobhi (89).
Kashi saved the guests’ face by scoring an honorable goal after a pass from Dalla Sebastiao (93).
Esperance of Tunisia, runner-up in the previous edition, struck hard, defeating its guest, Djoliba of Mali, 4-0 at Hammadi Agrabbi Stadium in Rades.
Esperance played one of its best matches in recent times, as the new Romanian coach, Rijkamp, presented himself to the audience in a positive light.
The match went in one direction, as Raed Bouchnaiba opened the scoring after a fatal error by the Malian team’s goalkeeper in the second minute, and South African Elias Mokwana increased the lead of the “Bab Souika” team, following a coordinated attack and a perfect pass from the Algerian Youssef Belaili (40).
Esperance added two goals in the second half, through substitute Oussama Boughra (76) and promising substitute Qusay Maasha (94).
The Royal Army won the “Morocco Clasico” by deepening the wounds of its compatriot and host, Raja Casablanca, by defeating them 2-0 at the “Al Arabi Zaouli” stadium in Casablanca in the second group.
The military team knew how to seize the three points from the heart of Casablanca, despite the strong field control and the large number of chances that the Green Team failed to translate, thanks to the brilliance of international goalkeeper Ayoub Khayati, whom Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui had summoned in the last international window.
Raja put pressure in the first half hour, while the entire army rebounded to the defence, and contrary to the course of action, Ahmed Hammoud was alone, taking advantage of a serious mistake by Raja’s defense in passing, so he quickly advanced with the ball from before the middle of the field and shot it as soon as he entered the penalty area to the left of goalkeeper Anas Al-Zaniti (41).
Raja’s goalkeeper was prevented from equalizing in the second half, after blocking Adam El-Nafati’s shot (51). Raja continued its control, as it won a penalty kick after a handball on Hatem Al-Sawabi. Saber Bougrin responded to it and goalkeeper Al-Khayati blocked it brilliantly (75).
In the final seconds, El Jaish strengthened its lead through a powerful shot from Khaled Ait Orkhan, following a pass from Zakaria Ajouglal (93).
In the same group, Mamelodi Sun Dawes did not take advantage of its absolute advantage, falling into the trap of a goalless draw against its guest, Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sudanese Al-Hilal opened its campaign with a perfect victory over its host, Young Africans of Tanzania, 2-0, in Dar es Salaam, in the first group.
The victory of the “Blue Jewel” is considered important because it came outside its home country against a competitor that reached the semi-finals last season, noting that the Sudanese team plays its home matches outside its stronghold.
The team of Democratic Congolese coach Florent Ibenge presented a strong and balanced performance between defense and attack, relying on the weapon of quick rebounds, as Malian Adama Coulibaly opened the scoring, after he snatched the ball and shot it deceptively into the net, following a pass from Tayeb Abdel Razek (63).
Yasser Muzamil doubled the score, after he was alone from approximately midfield, following a smart forward pass from Abdel Razzaq Omar (90).
In the same group, MC Algiers returned with a valuable point from its host, Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, after they tied negatively in Lubumbashi.
The Algerian team presented a strong performance and wasted several chances, the most important of which was for international Andy Delort, who shot a long ball that was brilliantly saved by Mazembe goalkeeper Badara Fani (36). The Algerians demanded a penalty kick after Zakaria Naeji was obstructed inside the penalty area (45).
Goalkeeper Fani saved Tayeb Meziani’s shot before it penetrated the tight corner (55), and Naaji almost gave Mouloudia victory with a free kick over the goal (82).
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