Ahli qualified to the African Champions League semi-finals for the second successive season after beating Sfaxien 2-1 in Cairo on Saturday. Mohamed Abou-Treika's dazzling shot and Flavio Amado's header sent Ahli to the locker room two goals up. Tarek Al-Ziadi pulled one back for the visitors five minutes from time but the title holders managed to hold on to their narrow win. Ahli players and coaching staff wore black armbands as they played their first match after the death of international defender Mohamed Abdul-Wahab who died in training earlier in September. Tens of thousands of fans packed the Cairo International Stadium, carrying huge posters of the late star and chanting his name after each goal. Abou-Treika kissed his armband after scoring the opener and burst into tears, triggering different emotions between spectators and television viewers. The victory put Ahli on top of Group A with 10 points, one ahead of Sfaxien who come second. Ghana's Asante Kotoko, with seven points in their account, still have hope to advance while JS Kabylie are rooted with only three points.
Attacking Style Ahli started the game on fire with Flavio steering a powerful header just wide in the sixth minute. Shortly after, Abou-Treika danced his way past three defenders before his bullet was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Ahmed Jaouachi. Ahli appealed for a penalty-kick before breaking the deadlock when Osama Hosni's shot hit the arm of Issam Merdassi. Egypt playmaker Abou-Treika broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when he curled a dazzling free-kick that sailed over the wall and settled into the top corner. Angola's World Cup scorer Flavio widened the gap in the 40th minute as he towered over his marker and headed Tarek Al-Said's cross past Jaouachi. The Egyptian champions adopted a more defensive approach after the interval, defending strongly and attacking on the break. Sfaxien threatened Ahli twice early in the second-half through efforts from Kouassi Blaise who couldn't beat keeper Essam Al-Hadari. Al-Ziadi narrowed the gap five minutes from time as he ghosted past the back three and headed home into the side netting.
