Ernest Papa Arko became the third Ghanaian to score for Smouha against Ahli, guiding the minnows to a 1-0 Egyptian league win over the African champions. A wonder goal by Arko condemned Ahli to their first-ever defeat to Smouha as the Ghanaian followed in the footsteps of compatriots Godwin Attram and Samuel Affum. The second-half winner also meant that Smouha's five goals against Ahli were all scored by Ghanaians. Ahli slip down to second place in Group A with six points, leveling with leaders Harras Hodoud who also slumped to a 1-0 loss to Bani Suef Telephones, while Smouha climbed to fifth on four points with their first win. Arko screamer The first half saw two ex-Ahli keepers stand between Smouha's sticks as former goalie Amir Abdul-Hamid was forced off the pitch to be replaced by Ramzi Saleh after just 13 minutes. Smouha hardly missed Abdul-Hamid though, with Saleh brilliantly thwarting a clear-on-goal Al-Sayed Hamdi before Sherif Ekrami denied Tarek Saleh's drive at the other end. Ahli were expectedly in charge but the hosts struck on the counter when Arko fired a magnificent drive from a whole 30 yards out leaving Ekrami with no chance 19 minutes into the second half. Ahli then threw everything at Smouha in an attempt to find the equalizer, but a bizarre chance featuring Hossam Ashour and Ahmed Shokri summed up the Reds' day near the end. Palestine international Saleh made another good save to deny an Abdullah Al-Saied shot and ensure a famous win for the Alexandrians.
