Egyptian League champions Ahli kicked off their new campaign with a 2-0 win over newly-promoted side Tanta in the game played in Cairo on Thursday. Emad Meteb scored for Ahli in the 31st minute, before a second half header from defender Wael Gomaa sealed the win for the Cairo giants. Ahli started the first-half showing slight danger on Tanta's goal with new boy Ahmed Sedik producing a third-minute shot saved by the Tanta keeper. The game's first real threat came in the 25th minute after Sedik released Meteb in the box but the international striker failed to find the net. Ahli managed to break the deadlock in the 39th minute after an impressive conbination between Islam Al-Shater and Meteb. Al-Shater crossed from the right as Meteb cut ahead of his marker to slot a first-timer past the Tanta keeper. In the second-half, Tanta had a more attacking approach and Shaaban Abdul-Wahed almost equalized in the 62nd minute when he fired a long-range shot but Essam Al-Hadari tipped it into the corssbar. Just two minutes later, Al-Hadari produced another good save to deny Tanta scoring from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Substitute striker Rami Rabee failed to mark his debut with Ahli when he slammed the ball wide after being set up in the area by Sedik.
Wael Gomaa Ahli wrapped up the win six minutes from time when Gomaa rose above the Tanta static defense to head Wael Reyad's cross into the back of the net. Elsewhere, Mohamed Thabet 'Sarokh' scored in the sixth minute to lead Arab Champions League finalists Enppi to a 1-0 victory over Olympic. In other matches, Abdul-Salam Nagah notched a brace to help Harras Al Hodoud register a 2-0 victory against Asyut Petroleum. Nagah snatched the lead early in the 10th minute before adding the second in the 73rd minute. Newly-promoted side Petrojet also made a winning start following their 3-2 away win over Al-Gaish. Gomaa Mashhor's penalty for Al-Gaish two minutes after the interval cancelled out Ahmed Shaaban's opener in the 18th minute. Mohamed Eid put Al-Gaish ahead in the 71st minute before two strikes by Mahmoud Abdul-Hakim and Walid Soliman in the last 10 minutes sealed the victory for Petrojet. Arab Contractors were held a 1-1 home draw with Ittihad Alexandria. Reda Ragab put Ittihad ahead in the 33rd minute before Minusu Buba equalized for the hosts in the 69th minute.
