Defending champions Ahli reached the CAF Champions semi-finals as Group B leaders after beating Ivory Coast's ASEC Mimosas 2-0 at home on Sunday. Flavio Amado capitalized on a defensive blunder to open the scoring 14 minutes from time before a howler from ASEC keeper Mohamed Kabore allowed Mohamed Abou-Treika to bag the second in stoppage time. Ahli, who are aiming to win an unprecedented third successive Champions League title, finished in charge of the group with 12 points, two ahead of Sudan's Hilal, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Esperance. The Red Devils will face Libya's Ittihad in the semi final while Hilal take on Tunisian giants Etoile Sahel. Playmaker Abou-Treika started on the bench as he has just recovered from an ankle injury, with Mohamed Barakat taking his role behind attacking duo Flavio and Emad Meteb. The energetic Barakat should have put Ahli ahead in the 23rd minute when he was released clear on goal by Flavio's through pass but his shot was blocked by Kabore. Twelve minutes later, Barakat appealed for penalty when he was pushed by an ASEC defender. However, the referee awarded a free-kick and Television replays showed that the contact occurred just outside the area. Angolan winger Gilberto curled the resulting free-kick just over the crossbar. ASEC's only chance in the first-half came six minutes before the break when Martial Yao Kouassi's low shot was blocked by Ahli guardian Essam Al-Hadari. Meteb wasted a golden opportunity to break the deadlock one minute later.
Abou-Treika made his mark Islam Al-Shater's long pass was miscleared by an ASEC defender in the path of Meteb, and as the keeper was tricked, the Egypt striker should have scored in an open goal. However, his low shot went just wide of the post with the goal at his mercy. Ahli's shaky defense allowed ASEC to launch dangerous counterattacks and the Ivorians could have stunned the home crowd several times. Six minutes past the hour mark, Abdul Nafiu Iddrisu collected a low cross inside the area but his powerful shot flew high over. Ahli coach Manuel Jose introduced Abou-Treika instead of midfielder Hassan Mostafa in the 69th minute in a bid to increase his attacking options. The out-of-form Meteb, who failed in his attempt to secure a move to Premiership side Middlesbrough, once again squandered an easy chance. He latched on to Flavio's deft pass but Kabore rushed out to block the 24-year-old's effort. Flavio finally grabbed the lead when Gilberto's low cross was misdirected by Khaled Adenon into his path for an easy tap-in. One minute into stoppage time, Kabore's miss pass found Abou-Treika, who found no difficulty in curling a shot into the back of the net. Watch Ahli's goals against ASEC
