Youngster Afrotto came off the bench in the second half to score two goals and inspire Ahli to a 4-2 comeback victory over Police Union in a thrilling Egyptian Premier League game on Friday. The former Egypt U-20 playmaker was included in Ahli's squad for the first time this season and had a chance to make a dream first-team debut when he was introduced when his side were 1-0 down. He cancelled out Reda Al-Azab's opener with a superb free-kick before fellow youngster Ahmed Shorki, who also came on as a second-half substitute, put Ahli in front. Defender Mohamed Samir added the third from the penalty spot after Afrotto was felled in the area. Police were handed a lifeline via a bizarre goal from Hassan Gomaa two minutes from time but the diminutive Afrotto killed off their hopes when he struck home few moments later. Ahli fans chanted his name towards the end as a depleted Ahli side, who are missing several key players, made up for their 2-0 defeat to Ghazl Mahalla last Monday. They are on top of the table with 38 points, seven ahead of second-placed Ismaili who have a game in hand. Ismaili had their game against ENPPI rescheduled due to their African Champions League commitments. Police, whose five-match unbeaten run came to an end, lie sixth on 23 points. No Creativity Ahli struggled to break down Police's resolute defense in the first half, lacking the pace and creativity needed to annoy the visitors. Their strike duo Hani Al-Egeizi and Osama Hosni were too sluggish, making it easy for Police defenders to keep them at bay.
It was Police who had the upper hand in terms of goalscoring chances. Two long-range volleys from Saied Kamal and Ghanaian midfielder Samuel Kyere narrowly missed the target but the best opportunity fell to Minusu Buba just before the break. A lapse of concentration from Ahli's right-back Ahmed Ali allowed the Nigerian striker to connect with a low cross unopposed but he sent the ball wide with the goal at his mercy. Police's pressure helped them break the deadlock nine minutes after the restart when Al-Azab notched home on the rebound after Ahli keeper Ahmed Adel could only parry a shot into his path. Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri introduced striker Ahmed Belal, Afrotto and Shokri to add impetus in the second half as Police sat back to defend their lead. The substitutions began to pay off when Afrotto curled a delightful free-kick with his left foot past Police keeper Ahmed Saad in the 63rd minute. Ali was unlucky to see his header strike the woodwork shortly after but winger Shokri made amends to put Ahli in front on 76 minutes. He cut inside his marker on the right hand side of the area and sent a weak shot that Saad failed to deal with. Samir converted a penalty to add the third on 85 minutes after a surging run from Afrotto left Police's Mohamed Hanafi with no chance but to tug him. Gomaa narrowed the gap with two minutes remaining when his attempted cross from a free kick evaded all the players, deceived Adel and went in at the far post. However, Afrotto ensured Ahli's win when he latched onto a through pass from Ali to break clear and fire home from close range.
