Ahli stayed on track for a record third consecutive Champions League title with a 1-0 victory over ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan on Sunday. Ahmed Morsy reports It was not only the first victory by an Egyptian club over ASEC in Abidjan but the first home loss for ASEC in the African championships since 1995. The world-class midfielder Mohamed Abou-Treika scored in the 40th minute when Flavio passed with his head inside the area. Abou-Treika's low shot went past the motionless ASEC goalkeeper. Ivorian champions ASEC could not break through Ahli's defence as they sent long-range shots which proved unsuccessful in bothering Ahli keeper Essam El-Hadari. Patrick Liewig, ASEC's French coach, sent in Marc Dion, Nigerian Mutiu Adegoke and Serge Deble to sustain the attack in the second half, but to no avail. Angolan winger Felisberto 'Gilberto' Amaral made his first start following an 18-month injury layoff that threatened to end his football career. Striker Emad Meteb missed the clash due to injury. "We played fine. There is no shame in losing to Ahli," Liewig said. "They have much more experience than us, which is the difference. I don't want to downplay my team. They played very well." ASEC were beaten 2-0 by Ahli in Cairo in last year's semi-finals as the Egyptian side successfully defended the trophy. In the second leg in Abidjan, ASEC won 2-1 but by then it was too late. This year, ASEC tied with Esperance in Tunis for a valuable away point but now need maximum points to keep their semi-final hopes on course. In the same Group B, Hilal of Sudan leaped to second place with three points after beating Tunisia's Esperance 2-0 in Omdurman on Sunday. Esperance had few chances in their first outing under new coach Faouzi Benzarti, who replaced Frenchman Jacky Dugueperoux who was fired after the Tunisian club was held at home in the opening group match by ASEC last month. Ahli, the title holders, are on top of Group B with a perfect six points after two matches, three ahead of Hilal, while ASEC and Esperance are last with one point each. In Group A, Confederations Cup holders Etoile du Sahel, twice losing finalists in 2004 and 2005, had a 0-0 drew with debutantes Ittihad of Libya in an epic encounter at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse on Friday. The two clubs now share the lead of the group with four points. Algeria's J.S. Kabylie, also being led by a new coach, Kamel Mouassa, are in third place after beating AS FAR of Morocco 2-0 in the other Group B match at Tizi Ouzou on Saturday. The next round of matches is scheduled for 20-22 July. Ahli will play Esperance in Cairo. Hilal and ASEC meet in Sudan.
