Al Ahly keep CCL title defence alive

Al Ahly's head coach Pitso Mosimane (2L) celebrates with goal scorer Ahmed Abdelkader (2R) during the CAF Champions League group A soccer match between Al Ahly SC and Al-Merrikh SC in Cairo, Egypt, 18 March 2022. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 18, 2022. 23:41

Defending champions Al Ahly kept their hopes of retaining the CAF Champions League title alive, while Raja Casablanca sealed their place in the quarter-finals.

Raja Casablanca all but clinched top spot in Group B with a 2-0 win against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening.

Goals either side of half-time from Hamid Ahadad (6′) and Ilias Haddad (76′) saw the Green Eagles move on to 12 points, six clear of third-placed Usuthu.

Earlier in the day, Al Ahly beat Al Merrikh 3-1 at the Al Salam Stadium to keep alive their hopes of a title defence.

Percy Tau (19′) opened the scoring for the Red Eagles, only for Ramadan Agab (60′) to restore parity early in the second half.

However, two goals in quick succession from Mohamed Sherif (72′) and Ahmed Radwan (73′) sealed the win for Pitso Mosimane’s side,

The defending champions closed to within three points of Mamelodi Sundowns in second spot, with Al Merrikh bringing up the rear on four points.

In the late kick-off, ES Setif battled back from a goal down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over 10-man Horoya at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962.

The Guinean champions took a one-goal lead into the break courtesy of Sebe Baffour’s 25th-minute opener, but the Black Eagles quickly hit back through Akram Djahnit (47′) after the restart.

Riad Benayad (87′, 90′) then bagged a late brace to complete the comeback win as the Algerian outfit strengthened their grip on second position in Group B, with Horoya having no chance of progressing in fourth spot.

Friday’s CAF Champions League results:

Al Merrikh 1-3 Al Ahly

AmaZulu 0-2 Raja Casablanca

ES Setif 3-2 Horoya