CAIRO – Al-Ahly moved top of Group B in the CAF Champions League after Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet struck twice to secure a 2-0 victory over Tanzania’s Young Africans in Alexandria on Friday.
The Egyptian giants made the most of their decisive moments at Borg El-Arab Stadium, with Trezeguet’s goals either side of half-time enough to extend their unbeaten start to the group stage and take sole possession of first place.
Young Africans began brightly and looked unfazed by the occasion, testing Al-Ahly early on through Allan Onkell and a series of quick counter-attacks.
Mostafa Shobeir was called into action inside the opening quarter-hour, saving smartly before Yasser Ibrahim cleared the danger as the visitors threatened to take control.
Despite dominating possession, Al-Ahly struggled to break through until stoppage time at the end of the first half. Their first clear opening proved decisive.
Mohamed Hany delivered a teasing cross from the right and Trezeguet rose above his marker to guide a header into the net, the ball slipping under the Young Africans goalkeeper’s hand to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, cafonline.com reported.
The Tanzanian side continued to push after the restart and went close again when a low drive almost caught Shobeir out, but the Al-Ahly goalkeeper reacted sharply to preserve his side’s advantage.
Al-Ahly gradually asserted greater control and doubled their lead in the 75th minute. Trezeguet collected the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot and fired powerfully into the net to complete his brace and underline his growing influence in the competition.
Young Africans almost pulled one back late on, only for Shobeir to produce another fine save, while Al-Ahly passed up chances to add a third in the closing stages.
The win lifts Al-Ahly to seven points from three matches at the summit of Group B, while Young Africans remain second on four points as the group approaches its decisive phase.
