Egypt's Ahly continued their march towards a record-extending ninth African Champions League triumph after demolishing Guinea's Horoya AC 4-0 at Cairo's Al-Salam Stadium to reach the semi-final on Saturday. In-form winger Walid Soliman stole the show with an all-round display, scoring and providing two assists as Ahly, who settled for a 0-0 draw in the first leg, set up a semi-final meeting with Algeria's ES Setif. Soliman broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute before setting up Eslam Mohareb for the second nine minutes after the break. Substitute Salah Mohsen scored with his first touch following another assist from Soliman before right-back Ahmed Fathi completed the rout one minute from time. Record winners Ahly will face ES Setif, who eliminated holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco on Friday, in a two-legged semi-final next month as they eye their first Champions League trophy since 2013. The lively Soliman came close to giving Ahly the lead inside the 10 minutes and he was rewarded for his efforts in the 33rd minute, collecting a pull-back from Ahmed Hamoudi and slotting him from seven yards out despite being surrounded by several defenders. In the second half, Ahly, who started the game without several key players due to injury, including defensive duo Saad Samir and Mohamed Naguib and regular central midfielder Amr El-Sulaya, maintained their dominance and wasted some easy chances. Attacking midfielder Eslam Mohareb doubled their advantage in the 54th minute with a side-footed effort after a low cross from Soliman, sending the home fans into raptures as a semi-final spot was all but guaranteed. Salah Mohsen scored the third goal in the 69th minute when he was fed by a long ball from Soliman to rifle home a volley that struck the keeper's hands and went in. Ahly's veteran defender Fathi put the icing on the cake with a deflected shot just before the end. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
