African champions Ahli reached the African Champions League final for the second successive year despite losing to ASEC Mimosas 2-1 in the second leg of the semis on Sunday. Ahli advanced on a 3-2 aggregate victory thanks to their two-goal lead from the first leg in Cairo two weeks ago. Flavio Amado put Ahli in front against the run of the play in the 38th minute but two second-half goals from ASEC star Didier Ya Konan sparked the Ivorians into life again. But Ahli hang on to their slim lead to qualify to the finals where they will play Tunisian side Sfaxien who edged past Orlando Pirates of South Africa. Ahli had the first opportunity in the game after just two minutes when Mohamed Shawki towered to head a neat cross from Tarek Al-Saied over the bar. The hosts took over and imposed their rhythm, missing several dangerous opportunities to break the deadlock. Ya Konan tested Ahli goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari in the 16th minute before Vincent Foneye rounded Mohamed Sedik and fired at the Egypt goalie. In the 22nd minute, Foneye almost scored when he rounded Wael Gomaa inside the area but fired inches wide.
Flavio Five minutes later, Emad Meteb headed wide but Flavio's effort made up a few minutes later. He ghosted behind his marker to connect with Islam Al-Shater's cross and head brilliantly over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net. ASEC took the pitch in the second-half with all guns blazing and laid siege to Ahli's area. International midfielder Ya Konan leveled the score in the 58th minute when he cut ahead of Gomaa to head a stunning ball home. He almost added the second five minutes later when he nipped in between Ahli's defenders and fired low at the body of Al-Hadari. The pressure kept mounting on the Egyptians and Ya Konan put his side ahead in 72nd minute. Foneye received a deft through pass inside the area and with the goal at his mercy he crossed for unmarked Ya Konan who poked into the unguarded net. ASEC kept the ball in the remaining minutes but Ahli's defenders and keepers managed to rescue the day. Mortaga blames weather for slump
