Last week Egypt's three teams battling for African supremacy ended their semifinal dreams with a weak victory, an elimination, and a defeat. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab reports Click to view caption In what had promised to be a spectacular display of football talent, defending champions Ahli of Egypt were eliminated on Sunday and surrendered any hope of retaining the title that fans were sure would be theirs. Morocco's Raja Casablanca, on the other hand, have made sure of a berth in the semi-finals of the African Champions League. Ahli's last-gasp 2-1 defeat at the hands of Jeanne d'Arc of Senegal in Dakar came after conceding a goal to a teenage goalkeeper and then watch their captain steer the ball into their own net. A last minute own-goal ended Al-Ahli's reign as a largely dull match provided a thrilling finish. Jeanne d'Arc took the lead from a penalty by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pape Mamadou Diouf in the 78th minute before Ahli equalised in the 89th with a spot kick by Ahmed Belal. But Jeanne d'Arc snatched victory when Ahli's captain Hadi Khashaba steered the ball into his own net just before midfielder Amdi Gueye could get the final touch after setting up a last-gasp breakaway. The result relegated three-time African champions Ahli to bottom place in the four- club group with four points and rendered their final match against leaders Raja Casablanca of Morocco in Cairo on 18 October meaningless. It was a timid exit by Ahli, who showed little fighting spirit and even less penetration despite the return of striker Khaled "Bebo", hero of their Champions League triumph last December. Bebo scored a hat-trick against South African side Sundowns in the second leg of the final, but poor form has led to him being axed from the team several times by Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere. Jeanne d'Arc would have won the return match more convincingly but for several superb saves from Essam El-Hadari, holder of the African Goalkeeper of the Year trophy. But he was powerless to stop a left-footed spot kick from Diouf after Wael Gomaa fouled livewire striker Mouhamadou Diaw, whose speed and ball control were a constant threat to Ahli. Bilal became joint leading Champions League scorer with six goals. In other group A African Champions League match, Morocco's Raja Casablanca made sure of a berth to the semifinal. Raja beat TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1- 0 in Casablanca to ensure they will finish top of the group A standings before their last group match. Raja's won with a diving header from defender Abdel- Wahed Abdel-Samad after the Congolese side failed to clear a corner in the 33rd minute. It was the second goal in successive matches for Abdel-Samad. In group B, Egypt's Zamalek is in a better form than Ahli but not quite great. Although Zamalek and Esperance of Tunisia are at the top of the group B standings, it does not ensure a semifinal spot. Esperance beat Costa do Sol of Mozambique 4-1 in Monastir earlier on Sunday, whereas ASEC Abidjan virtually guaranteed themselves a semi-final place by beating Zamalek 1-0 in the Ivory Coast -- even though they are still a point behind in third place in group B. Dansoko scored eight minutes into the second half after ASEC broke down the Egyptians' defence. A quick interchange of passes left Dansoko with a simple tap-in for his fifth goal of the tournament. ASEC had threatened several times in the first half, and they missed a penalty when Diaki Ibrahim Amuah had his 12th-minute effort saved by goalkeeper Abdel- Wahed El-Sayed after Antonin Nantcho Koutouan was pulled down in the area. Zamalek, who needed a draw to book their semi- final berth, had two early chances but were ultimately outplayed. The young, fast and gifted Ivorians -- who ran second-placed Esperance ragged three weeks ago, winning 3-1 -- finished Zamalek's dreams this week and granted them a loss. It was only near the end that Zamalek managed another effort, with veteran striker Hossam Hassan having a close-range shot saved. But Zamalek and Esperance still have a tough task on their hands if either of them are to make the last four for the fourth successive year. That defeat means a battle between the North African teams over the second ticket to qualification to the semi-final in Group B. ASEC, for whom midfielder Mamadou Dansoko notched his fifth goal of the competition, now have the relatively easy task of seeking a victory against Costa do Sol in Maputo in their final group match on 18 October. Costa do Sol have lost all five of their group matches but did finally score on Sunday when captain Mavo sensationally bent the ball past Esperance keeper Jean- Jacques Tizie for a consolation goal. The final round of group matches will be played on 18 and 19 October, and the top two finishers in each group qualify for the semi-finals. In the semifinal round of the CAF Cup, Misri managed to secure a hard earned 1-0 victory over Algeria's Chebaibat in the first leg encounter that took place in Port Said Stadium. Misri's sole goal came courtesy of Ibrahim Masri in the 90th minute leaving the team with a relatively simpler task in their second leg encounter against the title holders. Misri delivered a mixed show. A very weak start in the first half that saw Misri waste a flurry of scoring opportunities. It was only until the introduction of Ibrahim Masri in place of Walid Abul-Ela in the final 15 minutes of the game that saw a revival in the spirit of Misri. The final minutes of the game saw a number of wasted scoring opportunities, namely Yasser Mohamed's strike and Ikrami Yossri's ball that hit the keeper's hand. A few minutes later, Ibrahim Masri fired a rocket that missed the pole by an inch. In the 88th minute, Hassan Moussa failed to capitalise on a perfect Mustafa Gaafar cross, converting it into a header that went astray over the bar. However, as the disappointed Misri fans prepared to depart the stadium in the 90th minute, Hassan Moussa was tackled inside the box. The Moroccan referee Abdel- Rehim Arjoon awarded the hosts a free kick from the borders of the box. Ibrahim Masri managed to fire a spectacular ground shot securing Misri a precious first leg victory. Quite a spectacular ending to less than spectacular play.
