Ahli face possible exit from the Champions League round of 16 for the second season running as they conceded two goals from corners to lose 2-0 at Libya's Ittihad in the first leg on Friday. Ittihad striker Ahmed Zuway created the opener for central defender Younes Al-Shibani after 13 minutes and headed home the second late in the game to give his side a surprising victory. Ahli, the record winners of the Champions League with six titles, will have an uphill to climb when they host Ittihad at Cairo Stadium in two weeks' time. The Red Devils will be looking to avoid last season's scenario when they lost to Nigeria's Kano Pillars to miss out on a place in the group stage of Africa's premier competition and settle for a spot in the Confederation Cup. Roared on by the home crowd in an electrifying atmosphere at the packed 11 June Stadium, the hosts took the lead after capitalizing on some slack marking from Ahli defenders. Zuway beat Wael Gomaa to a corner kick to flick the ball into the path of the unmarked Al-Shibani, who headed home from close range to send the home fans into raptures. Ahli enjoyed better possession afterwards but hardly threatened Ittihad, lacking the spark and imagination of inspirational playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika who started on the bench. Attacking midfielders Ahmed Shokri, Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Barakat played behind lone striker Francis Doe, who replaced the injured Emad Meteb in Ahli's starting line-up, but could not support him in a scrappy first half. Ahli's only chance before the break fell to Egypt skipper Hassan, whose shot from inside the area narrowly missed the target after a goal-mouth scramble.
Punished Ahli came on with all guns blazing in the second period, thanks to the energetic moves of Liberian Doe and the introduction of Abou-Treika, who replaced Shokri. The visitors wasted several clear-cut chances which could have helped them gain the upper hand against Ittihad, who looked toothless despite putting in a spirited display. Hassan chested down a cross from left-back Sayed Moawad on the hour mark to shrug off his marker but he shinned his shot over the bar. Doe also came close with a low shot that hit the side-netting and Barakat should have done better when he was found unmarked at the far post but his first-timer was easily collected by the keeper. Ahli were punished for their wastefulness when Ittihad doubled their lead in the 73rd minute. Zuway once again overcame Gomaa in the air, but this time he headed goalwards rather than setting up a teammate after a corner from the right. Ahli keeper Ahmed Adel seemingly slipped to allow the ball to sail over him and into the net. Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri introduced striker Hani Al-Egeizi instead of the off-form Hassan but he did not make a notable impact as Ittihad secured a convincing first-leg advantage.
