A depleted Ahly side couldn't keep a one-goal lead intact to draw 1-1 with Ivory Coast's Sewe Sport in San Pedro in the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Burkina Faso international Moussa Yedan gave Ahly the lead in the end of the first half before Sewe's Kouamé Akrofi Edem secored a share of spoils late in the second period. Ahly continued their unbeaten run in the Confederation Cup group stage to remain top of Group B, level on five points with group rivals Etiole Sahel, who have an inferior goal difference. Sewe waste, Ahly score Ahly, who were missing a host of key players through injury, were the first to pose real threat on goal when striker Amr Gamal saw a first-time effort from inside the area denied by the Ivorians' keeper as early as the sixth minute. But the hosts gained the upper hand afterwards and almost took the lead if it wasn't for some resolute defending from Ahly's rearguard, who thwarted the Ivorians on several occasions. In the 17th minute, defender Ahmed Nabil 'Manga' made a sliding tackle to deny a certain goal from Ousmane Ouattara before Saad Samir blocked another sitter from Joseph Kameni with a last-ditch interception. It wasn't the end of Samir's heroics tough, with the center-half making another crucial intervention when he cleared off the line following a brilliant stop from keeper Sherif Ekramy, who had initially denied Cedric Elysee Kojo on 23 minutes. Midfielder Joseph had another chance to put his side in front but blasted a strike from inside the box wide to continue the series of Sewe's squandered chances. But against the run of play, The Reds opened the scoring when forward Yedan smashed Mahmoud 'Trezeguet's cross into the top of the net from point blank range on the stroke of halftime. Late equalizer The Ivorians controversially equalized through Akrofi with just 12 minutes remaining. Ironically, defender Samir was involved in another crucial interception but the center-half's efforts were to no avail as midfielder Akrofi slotted home from point-blank range on 78 minutes amid suspicions of offside. Two minutes later, Ahly could have conceded another goal but keeper Ekrami was there to tip over and avoid what could have been a possible winner. But the 83rd minute saw Sewe this time clear off the line, denying a header from forward Gamal as both sides shared honours. (For more sports news and updates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/103211.aspx
