CAIRO: Holders Al Ahli scored four goals in an opening 20 minute blitz to easily beat Asante Kotoko of Ghana in their African Champions League Group A match on Saturday and ease closer to a semi-final place. The 4-0 win puts the Egyptian champions well in contention for the final four with two more matches in the group phase still to play. Al Ahli began the rout in the eighth minute when striker Osama Hosni was brought down in the penalty area and Egypt international Mohamed Aboutrika marked his return after injury by successfully converting the penalty. Hosni then added a second goal three minutes later before midfielder Mohamed Shawky scored the third with a close-in header in the 17th minute. Angolan World Cup striker Flavio, who broke a year-long drought without a goal for Al Ahli in their league win on Monday, got another after an easy tap-in in the 20th minute. In the second half Aboutrika also hit the upright with a tame shot in the 55th minute while the closest Kotoko got to a goal was a shot from Mark Adu Amofa that hit the crossbar three minutes later. Al Ahli now has seven points from their four Group A matches. The club is seeking a record-equaling fifth Champions League triumph this year. Reuters
