A stoppage-time goal from Wael Gomaa earned Ahli a 2-1 home victory over Ismaili on Sunday to dent their bitter rivals' hopes of reaching the African Champions League semi finals. Ismaili, who lost their group stage opener at home to Algeria's JS Kabylie, looked to have secured a valuable draw when substitute Mohsen Abou-Greisha brought them level ten minutes from time after striker Mohamed Talaat gave Ahli the lead on 58 minutes. But a far-post header from combative defender Gomaa, who capitalized on a recurring defensive lapse from Ismaili, handed Ahli their first win after they settled for a 1-1 draw at Nigeria's Heartland in Group B opener. The goal sparked furious protests from Ismaili's players and technical staff members, who believed their team should have been awarded a free-kick in the build up after Ahmed Hassan apparently pushed defender Ahmed Hegazi. Ismaili players surrounded referee Koman Coulibaly after the final whistle. He needed protection from police to leave the pitch. The Malian official was criticized by Ismaili before the game after local media quoted him as expressing his gratitude to Ahli 'for their warm reception'. Ahli are second in the group with four points, two behind JS Kabylie. Heartland have one point while Ismaili lie at the bottom after losing two consecutive games. Debuts
Geddo made his Ahli debut Ismaili's Nigerian striker Ndubuisi Godwin made his debut, partnering Ahmed Ali upfront as coach Mark Wotte sought to boost a sterile frontline. Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri also introduced new signing Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo', who was relieved after escaping a suspension for signing two deals with Zamalek and Ittihad, in the second half. The first half was a lively and balanced affair, with both sides coming close to notching the opener more than once. They tried their luck from distance on numerous occasions but Ahli keeper Sherif Ekrami and his Ismaili counterpart Mohamed Sobhi looked assured between the sticks. Sobhi, who regained his place as Ismaili's regular guardian following the departure of Essam Al-Hadari to Zamalek, tipped over two volleys from Ahmed Hassan and Hossam Ashour in the early stages of the game. Ekrami was equally impressive, diving to his right to block a fierce low shot from Ahmed Samir Farag before rushing out in a timely move to thwart a close-range effort from Amr Al-Sulaya. Godwin could have marked his maiden Ismaili appearance with a valuable goal in the 31st minute when a deep cross from right-back Ahmed Sedik picked out him but his header was saved by Ekrami. Ahli's talismanic playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, who was once again given an advanced role to play alongside Talaat, had a curling free kick palmed away by Sobhi two minutes before the break.
Precious win Gomaa Stunner The Red Devils had the upper hand in the early stages of the second half, with Ismaili struggling for creativity due to the absence of injured attacking midfielders Omar Gamal and Abdullah Saied. Geddo was introduced amid enthusiastic cheers from the home crowd but it was Talaat, who replaced Liberian Francis Doe in Ahli's starting line-up, who stole the show with a 58th minute goal. He ghosted behind defender Moatasem Salem, an Ahli target who was on the verge of joining the Cairo giants in the summer transfer window, and latched onto long ball from Gomaa before placing his shot underneath Sobhi and into the net. Ismaili's Abou-Greisha, who is often criticized for his lack of sharpness, seemed an unlikely rescuer when he replaced Godwin and notched the equalizer in the 80th minute. The team's skipper Mohamed Hommos superbly flicked a corner into Abou-Greisha's path at the far post and the striker made no mistake with a simple finish from close range. Gomaa's stunner four minutes into the additional time broke Ismaili's hearts though. In a carbon copy of Ahli's opener, Gomaa escaped the attention of his marker to head a deep free kick from Hossam Ghaly past Sobhi.
