Ahli took a step closer to winning the African Champions League after their scoreless draw with Tunisia's Etoile Sahel in the first leg of the final. Inas Mazhar attended the game in Sousse The result means that Egyptian champion Ahli are half the way towards winning the Champions League title and collecting the $1 million in prize money. Ahli have won the Champions League three times, the last being four years ago. It also marks a milestone for Ahli, who have now notched up an unbeaten run which stretches back 50 games, one game more than English club Arsenal, to cite the English club record. The last defeat for Ahli was 16 months ago when they lost to the Arab Contractors in June 2004. The scoreline meant disappointment for the home team Etoile who failed to impress their 25,000 spectators in Olympic Stadium. Etoile's supporters had been in a celebrating mood for most of the day. The atmosphere in town before the match was lively. For Etoile, this was their second final in a row. The Tunisian club lost the title to the eventual winner Eniymba of Nigeria in the second leg match in Lagos in 2004. The second leg will take place in Cairo on 12 November at the 25,000-seat military stadium. The game promises to be a tense encounter as both sides also have an eye on participating in the World Club Championship in Japan in December. On match day, Sousse was covered with the red and white colours of the club. On the streets, youngsters put on red and white T-shirts, the club's flag adorned cars, taxis and buses while banners in red supporting the club fluttered in the main squares and streets. Amidst all the support for the home team was a huge red cloth banner in the top balcony of a very famous hotel. The banner was put up by the hundreds of Ahli fans who made the trip to Sousse. They stood in the balcony teasing the locals. "This is the second time we reach the final of the African Champions League and for the second time we are hosting the first leg. We wish we could have hosted the second leg. It would have been different and easier for us," Etoile's Chairman Othman Jenayah said. In Sousse, Ahli looked the stronger side especially in the first half. The Egyptians had several opportunities to score but never fully grabbed the chance to convert the attacks into goals. However, the home team came close to scoring with minutes to go before half time following a mistake by Ahli goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari, but striker Gilson sent it over the bar. Ahli's best chance came in the 65th minute when Hassan Mustafa dribbled past two defenders before shooting wide from the edge of the penalty area. Ahli continued to dominate the play in the second half but failed to score with key players Mohamed Barakat and Mustafa tightly marked. Ahli made no substitutions except one, Osama Hosni for Emad Miteb, in injury time. Etoile made all three substitutions, but obviously it made no difference as the team maintained the same system of play. "We didn't need to make any changes," Ahli's assistant coach Hossam El-Badri said. "It wouldn't have made any difference and Etoile wouldn't have changed its style of play. So we thought we'd better save our players for the next match. We made one change at the end just to waste some time." Overall, the game was described by many as lacklustre and boring. There was tight defending throughout, and both sides failed to convert whatever chances they had. "The match doesn't deserve to be the final of the African Champions League, one of the best championships there is," Ahli's Portuguese coach Manuel Jose said. "I guess the spectators in the stadium and those watching on TV deserve to watch something more exciting. "Both teams were very cautious and therefore the game did not produce any tactics. I can say that our opponents respected us too much. They know that Ahli is one of the best teams in Africa with a remarkable history and outstanding records," Jose said. "We tried to do our best but the hosts didn't help us. They wouldn't attack at all, always defending. All 11 players were at the back." Gilli Stephane, the assistant coach of Etoile had a simple explanation as to why his club did not win: because they were playing against a stronger team. "We played against a very good team which hasn't lost in 50 games. They are very good in attack. They waited for us to advance but we chose to play the counterattack. But because they were so good in defence we were never able to score. Stephane said he was pleased with the result and believes his team will be a winner in Cairo. "It is a good result for us. When we go to Egypt we must play better and we will have the chance either to win or draw. We planned not to allow Ahli to score here so as not to have a goal advantage and we succeeded. Ahli will have to score in order to win." "We will play the same as we did here and try to translate our opportunities this time into goals," Stephane added. Jenayah also believes Etoile has a better chance in Cairo despite his disappointment at his team's performance. "Of course we have a better chance in Cairo. Ahli will be under pressure because of the Egyptian fans. It will be another match in Cairo and we will be prepared. We are known to be better while playing our matches away. "We have no yellow cards so all the players will have the chance to play the second leg. Ramadan will be over and we'll have time to prepare our team physically because that was one of our weak points in the first leg. The players weren't physically fit." Jose was surprised to hear that the Tunisian side was so optimistic. "Well, if they can win, why didn't they win in Sousse? We will be playing at home in front of our fans. We will have the advantage. We drew in Tunis. It will be a tough match because they are a team who depend on counterattacks as well as being a defensive club. They try to capitalise on the mistakes of other teams. I think we'll try to find solutions to all these things. They know we are the better team. We'll play our normal football, score and win. Before the match Etoile said it would be easier than the game against Eniymba. "They talk this way because they were afraid and the match showed that they were afraid of us. They say that to make us nervous," Jose said. "They were playing at home and disappointed their fans who shouted at the players, criticised the coach and insulted them as well. Now they say they will win. Well, maybe. In football everything is possible and can happen, but to say our players will be under pressure, I don't believe that." El-Badri agreed with his head coach. "After a game, anybody can say anything. They're trying to put pressure on our players. The game in Cairo will be different for us because it's the final. There will be no other opportunity. Only one team will win." Ahli started training on the same day of their return to Cairo. On Monday evening the team practiced at the club's stadium in Gezira in preparation for its league match against Ittihad on Friday in Alexandria. Jose decided not to play any friendlies before meeting Etoile but will instead put the players in a four-day training camp in 6 October city. Etoile was scheduled to meet club Africain in the Tunisian premier league championship yesterday. Jenayah said the Tunisian Football Federation had been unfair to the team for forcing them to play such an important game while preparing for Ahli. "Even before the first leg match, they refused to postpone any of our league matches which tired us out," Jenayah said.
