Ahli qualified for the CAF Champions League semi finals on Sunday after easing to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria's Heartland in Cairo. Two strikes from Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed Fadl on 20 and 51 minutes respectively gave Ahli a comfortable two-goal lead. Emmanuel Nwachi pulled one back in the 57th minute but the visitors, who were outplayed by Ahli most of the time, couldn't bring the score level. The victory left the second-placed Cairo giants on eight points in Group B, four ahead of Heartland who waved goodbye to the Champions League. Ismaili, who are languishing at the bottom of the group with three points, have also been ousted after Sunday's game. Group leaders JS Kabylie had gone through late last month after holding Ahli to a 1-1 home draw. Six-time African Champions Ahli will face Group A leaders in the next round. Esperance are now at the top of the group on goal difference with ten points.TP Mazembe lie second with as many points. Each team have one game to go. While facing Heartland, Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri deployed a lone striker in Mohamed Fadl, who had a disagreement with Sayed Moawad in training but was reconciled with him before the match. Natural striker Mohamed Talaat, who was particularly energetic and influential during the match, played as right winger.
Ahmed Hassan, who has been ruled out of action for six months due to a cruciate ligament injury, was egging on the Red Devils from the stands. All Guns Blazing Ahli came on with all guns blazing, looking for an early opener while their opponents seemed to be out-of-sorts. Moawad created the first scoring chance when he sent a cross that found Talaat, whose close-range effort was blocked by a challenger. Talaat, who was unusually included in Ahli's starting eleven, fired a sensational low volley on 18 minutes but the keeper bravely saved it. Fathi broke the deadlock with a free kick from a tight angle. The combative holding midfielder tried to send the ball into the area but inadvertently hit the target right away. Mohamed Abou-Treika came too close to heading home Fathi's free kick but it diverted on its own into the net. Ahli took a stranglehold on the match after taking a slender lead. Geddo wasted a clear-cut chance midway through the first half. He latched onto a deft pass from Abou-Treika inside the area and released a drive that went wide.
Eight minutes from half-time, Fadl connected with a corner kick only to see his header go past the post. Fadl Makes Amends But the former Ismaili man made amends shortly after the break. Fadl was completely unmarked when he chested down a Moawad cross at the edge of the area to poke home. Ahli kept the upper hand afterwards but Heartland managed to round off a counter attack. Nwachi beat his marker Wael Gomaa to hit the bottom corner of the net with a precise low shot from inside the area. The last half an hour of the game was quite eventless as Ahli seemed to be satisfied with the scoreline. The match's goals
