An outstanding performance from Mohamed Abou-Treika helped Ahli beat ASEC Mimosas 2-0 in their African Champions League semis in Cairo and move closer to reaching the finals. The Egypt playmaker put Ahli in front in the 25th minute when he was fed by substitute Amr Fathi 'Samaka' inside the area. Samaka was fielded in the 16th minute, replacing Osama Hosni who picked up an early knock. Abou-Treika then combined with Tarek Al-Said to set-up Emad Meteb for the second goal six minutes from the interval. Mohamed Shawki was handed a yellow card for protesting and will miss the second leg with an automatic one-match suspension. Wael Gomaa also was booked for hitting an opponent without the ball. Ahli goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari had a late injury after Ahli have made their three substitutions but he hang on to complete the game. The title holders played before some 70,000 fans packed the Cairo International Stadium and chanted the name of late defender Mohamed Abdul-Wahab who was born on the first of October. Supporters of Ahli's arch-rivals Zamalek attended the game, carrying big flags of their club in solidarity with the Egypt representatives. The result gives Ahli a big advantage before the second leg in Abidjan after two weeks. Abou-Treika Magic Ahli started the game in explosive style, rocking the visitors on their heels and missed two chances in the opening five minutes after Meteb and Hosni failed to connect with neat passes from Abou-Treika. Abou-Treika tried his luck in the ninth minute, curling the ball from the edge of the area but into the hands of ASEC keeper Mohamed Kabore. Manuel Jose was forced to make an early substitution when he threw Samaka into the fray for Hosni who sustained a leg injury.
Samaka rewarded his manager when he leapt to control an Al-Said's lofted pass inside the area before setting-up the darting Abou-Treika who knocked a low first-timer into the back of the net. Jose was spotted on camera making insulting gestures towards the referee for his harsh bookings minutes earlier. ASEC had their first chance in the 30th minute when Didier Conan fired wide from close range after a defensive mix-up. Al-Hadari was called upon in the 38th minute to collect a loose ball inside the area after a weak header from an Ivorian striker. Another moment of inspiration from Abou-Treika helped Ahli widen the gap just one minute later. He looked one way and slipped a silky back-heel pass to Al-Saied on the left flank. The international winger crossed to Meteb who cut ahead of his marker and swung a header that hit the keeper's hand and settled home. ASEC Improve The Ivorian champions looked better in the second period after attacking midfielder Ali Diarra was introduced. Diarra tested Al-Hadari in the 46th minute with a long-range shot but the Best Keeper in the African Cup of Nations tamed it on two times. In the 58th minute, Meteb missed a golden opportunity to put the game beyond all doubt when he ghosted behind the ASEC defense and connected with Islam Al-Shater's long ball. Unchallenged near the penalty spot, Meteb steered a weak header into the keepers' hands with the goal at his mercy. Ahli's Portuguese manager replaced Samaka with defending midfielder Ahmed Hassan in the closing stages of the match in a bid to hang on to the two-goal lead. The Egyptian champions suffered a late set-back when Al-Hadari was injured and he seemed not able to complete the remaining four minutes. But he hang on as Ahli finished with the precious win.
