In the African Champions League, Ahli won three precious points on the road while Zamalek escaped with a draw at home, reports Abeer Anwar Ahli outplayed and outclassed the defending African Champions League holders Enyimba of Nigeria to take three crucial away points. Ahli took the lead in the 10th minute through Emad Metab, then left the rest up to goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari and a stingy defence. The unexpected victory placed Ahli atop Group A with a perfect six points from two matches. The early goal threw the two-time title holders Enyimba off balance and they never quite recovered. They attacked from all sides in a bid to tie but El-Hadari and company always seemed in control. "It was a golden opportunity to win after we scored and we grabbed it," El-Hadari said. Enyimba went full frontal in the second half but Ahli appeared determined to protect their one-goal lead to the end. In the meantime, Ahli also had a number of chances to increase their lead after Enyimba left them space in the back. Osama Hosni and Mohamed Abu Treika had decent chances but both went begging. "I am very happy with such a victory that takes us to the top of Group A. It makes our upcoming task in Cairo a bit easier," Manuel Jose, Ahli's Portuguese coach, said. In Nigeria, Ahli had to deal with accommodations that were below par and practiced on a playground pockmarked with bumps. The conditions prompted Hossam El-Badri, the team's assistant coach, to protest to the African Confederation (CAF). "We did not treat them the same way when they were in Cairo so why don't we receive the same kind of treatment?" El-Badri wondered. Enyimba had been hoping to create history this year by becoming the first club to win the trophy three times. Instead, it was the second home defeat for Enyimba in the competition. Ahli are three-time African champions, in 1982, 1987 and 2001 and Jose would like nothing better than to recapture the cup. The club, voted by CAF the best in Africa in the 20th century, began brightly after brushing aside SC Villa of Uganda 6-0 and eliminating USMA of Algeria more comfortably than the 3-2 score suggested in qualifiers. They then launched their Group A campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Raja Casablanca of Morocco. In more Group A action, Raja Casablanca drew 1-1 with South Africa's Ajax Cape Town at the 80,000-seat Mohamed V Stadium. Ajax Cape Town scored a late goal for the equaliser in extra time. Despite an early second half goal by the Moroccans, the South Africans refused to give up. Substitute Mfundo Shumana slammed the ball into the net only five minutes before the end. The results put Ajax in second place in the group with two points while Enyimba and Raja both have a single point from their two games. On the weekend of 22-24 July Ahli will face Ajax in Cairo while Raja meet Enyimba in Casablanca. In the same tournament and round, in Group B, Zamalek were forced to settle for a draw at home after drawing 1-1 with Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia. In fact, Zamalek were in serious danger of losing and only a last gasp long shot by defender Wa'el El-Qabbani four minutes into injury time spared Zamalek's blushes. This, despite the fact that Zamalek were in control almost throughout. The visitors took the lead in the 88th minute when Marouane El-Bokri threaded the ball past Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed. The goal came against the complete run of play. Zamalek had been dominating and it appeared only a matter of time before they would finally find a way past Nigerian goalkeeper Austin Ejide. But time marched on and as it did Etoile's confidence increased. Zamalek, the record five-time champion, suddenly found themselves trailing at the end and salvaged a point when Qabbani's floater eluded Ejide's full-blooded dive. The North Africans were furious after Zamalek's late goal, believing it to be offside. South African referee Jerome Damon received a police escort off the field. "I am satisfied with the result," German Theo Bucker, Zamalek's new coach, said. "The players were very tired and with the draw we still lead Group B." Zamalek have two points from two draws. Also in Group B Tunisia's Esperance drew 0-0 with the Ivory Coast's Asec Mimosas. Etoile du Sahel are in second place after Zamalek. Asec Mimosas are third and Esperance fourth with two points having launched their campaign last weekend with an ill-tempered 0- 0 draw away to fellow Tunisians Etoile du Sahel in a poor advertisement for the African Champions League. The results mean that all four teams in Group B have two points but Zamalek go top having scored two goals, Asec Mimosas and Etoile du Sahel are next with a goal each while Esperance are bottom having failed to score so far. Upcoming matches are on the weekend of 22-24 July when Asec Mimosas host Etoile du Sahel while in Cairo, Zamalek play Esperance. Group winners and runners-up qualify for the semi-finals and the winners of the final, also staged on a home-and- away basis, qualify for the world championship in Japan in December.
