Ahli garnered the first three points in the group stage of the African Champions League at Zamalek's expense, Ahmed Morsy reports Ahli maintained their superiority over arch-rivals Zamalek after claiming a 2-1 victory in the first match of the African Champions league group stage on Sunday. It was the first time for the Cairo giants to clash in the group stage of the African Champions league. They met in the semi-finals of the 2005 African Champions league edition in which Ahli won 2-1 and 2-0. They also met in the African Super Cup in 1994 played in Johannesburg where Zamalek claimed a 1- 0 win from an Ayman Mansour goal. Both sides were cautious in the opening stages of the Group A match on Sunday, deploying a tough defensive display. But in the 28th minute, Angolan striker Flavio Amado gave Ahli a first-half lead when Zamalek right-wing Mohamed Abdullah made a dreadful miss pass which found Ahli's winger Gilberto, who whipped in a cross at the far post which evaded Mahmoud Fathallah and went to Flavio. The former Petro Atletico man converted the ball with a right-footed shot past Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed. Zamalek dominated possession early in the second half, but they weren't helped by many miss-placed passes. Nevertheless, the men in white managed to level the score through Gamal Hamza in the 62nd minute when the talented forward's right-footed shot from the edge of the area deflected off defender Wa'el Gomaa's foot and found its way past Ahli keeper Amir Abdel-Hamid. Zamalek's joy did not last long as Ahli's newly-signed midfielder Ahmed Hassan restored Ahli's advantage in the 67th minute. The Egypt skipper's fierce drive after a touched-on free-kick penetrated a shaky wall and into the bottom corner of the net. Zamalek pushed forward seeking to equalise while Ahli sat back to defend their lead. Ahmed Magdi's powerful drive eight minutes from time hit the side netting while Ahli held onto their advantage to claim the win. Ahli coach Manuel Jose lauded his players' ability to take advantage of Zamalek's defensive mistakes. Jose said he believed that the players' commitment was the key behind the precious three points. "I told the players before the match that any mistakes from either side will determine the winner," the Portuguese coach said in the post-match press conference. "I stressed that our mistakes should be less than those of our opponents. And that was the case. Flavio notched the opener right after Abdullah's mistake. However, Jose said Ahli should have put the result beyond doubt in the second half. "We wasted several opportunities before Zamalek's equaliser. We should have at least scored another goal," he added. The 62-year-old boss said Ahli will be better prepared when they face Zamalek once again on Sunday in the Egyptian Super Cup. "We signed nine players in the close of the season but we could only register four in Champions League squad. But on Sunday we can use any of our new players. I extended my contract to build a new Ahli team for the future." Zamalek's new German coach Reiner Hollmann lamented his side's "dreadful errors." "We played a very good match but the defensive errors cost us," Hollmann told the press conference. "Ahli were better in the first half, but we dominated the entire second and managed to equalise. But unfortunately, another defensive mistake allowed Ahli to restore their advantage." The German manager promised Zamalek fans that the team's display will be much better in Sunday's Super Cup. "We will have different preparations," he revealed. In the other Group A match, Zimbabwean club Dynamos made an exciting start after beating Asec Mimosas in Harare 2-1 on Sunday. Dynamos's striker Edward Sadomba beat his sorrow after losing his elder sister to score twice to claim the victory. Portia Sadomba died on Friday and her brother was a doubtful starter for the opening squad, but he struck in the 4th and 73rd minutes to give his team the win at Rufaro Stadium. Jean-Paul Mangoua Kesse was on target for Asec 10 minutes before half-time. Ahli and Dynamos are tied at the top of Group A with three points each and the same goal average. In Group B, Cameroon's Coton Sport beat DR Congo club TP Mazembe 1-0 at home on Saturday. Coton Sport are only the third Cameroonian side to contest the group phase. The last Cameroon champions were Canon Yaounde in 1980. Also in Group B, the Sudanese club Al-Hilal beat Nigerian side Enyimba 3-2 in the opening game of the group phase in Sudan on Friday. Enyimba were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute when Okey Odita was sent off for a second bookable offence. Al-Hilal are looking to go one better than last year when they reached the semi-finals, while Enyimba are looking for a third title to add to their triumphs of 2003 and 2004. Asec host Ahli in Abidjan and Dynamos face Zamalek in Cairo at the beginning of next month. Group winners and runners-up advance to two-leg semi-finals and the final is also staged on a home-and- away basis. The champions will pocket $1 million and will also secure a place at the annual FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
