Ahli received their first Champions League defeat of the season after succumbing to a 2-0 loss at Mazembe to relinquish top spot in Group B. Teenage forward Mbwana Samata, who notched three goals against Ahli and Zamalek before the game, maintained his impressive record against Egyptian clubs by scoring the opener. Deo Kanda doubled his side's advantage in the 60th minute as Mazembe stretched their superb continental record of 18 unbeaten home games. The Ravens snatch top spot of Group B from Ahli as they have a better head-to-head record than the Egyptian champions. The Reds, who just needed a draw to secure a top-spot qualification with a match to spare, will now have to wait for the group finale against Zamalek in a fortnight. Dubious opener Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri opted to rest Ahmed Fathi and Hossam Ghaly, handing Ahmed Sedik his debut in an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation. Tanzania striker Samata could have scored his fourth header of the group stage early on but had to wait for the second half to break the deadlock with a controversial goal. After Sherif Ekrami had managed to handle Tresor Mputu's cross, Samata robbed the Ahli goalkeeper of the ball to claim the opener as referee Neant Alioum was unimpressed. The home side took heart from their lead as Ekrami foiled two clear-cut chances including a one-on-one Mputu effort before Kanda hit the side netting from outside the area. But Kanda made no mistake on the hour mark when he fired home the dazzling Mputu's assist from inside the area as Ahli's rearguard were caught napping. Ahli tried desperately to improve the scoreline and level the head-to-head record with their opponents as striker Geddo replaced defender Sedik, but Lamine N'Diaye's men were too defiant to concede.
