The Egyptian Al Ahly, the reigning champion and record holder of the number of titles in the CAF Champions League (11), took a significant step towards the final with a precious goalless draw against their hosts, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Saturday in Lubumbashi in the first leg of the semi-finals. Qualification will be determined next Friday at Cairo Stadium in a match that will start at 9 PM local time.
Al Ahly started the match with a pressing attack that nearly resulted in an early goal in the second minute from a corner taken by Tunisian international Ali Maaloul, which was nearly converted by Palestinian Wissam Abu Ali next to the right post, and a pass from Moroccan Reda Slim that reached Abu Ali who shot weakly into the hands of Senegalese goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty (3).
As time passed, the Al Ahly players retreated to their midfield to absorb the attacking pressure from the hosts, with Nigerian Austin Ouladapo firing a shot from outside the box that went wide (6). The pressure from Mazembe players, who have won the competition five times, increased, and goalkeeper Mustafa Shobeir saved his team from a certain goal by blocking a shot from unmarked left-back Magloire Ntambwe inside the penalty area (19). Ahmed Abdelkader responded with a pass to Slim in the defense's depth; Slim shot directly but sent it over Faty's crossbar (20).
Mazembe nearly found the net when Malian player Fily Traoré exploited a defensive error to find himself alone and fired a powerful shot that Shobeir deflected before being cleared by the defense (45+1).
The play in the second half was confined to the midfield, with Mazembe enjoying superior possession as Al Ahly players suffered from fatigue, except for substitute South African Percy Tau, whose penetrations posed a threat to the Congolese defense.
The most significant opportunity for Al Ahly came in the 86th minute during a well-organized attack after several passes between substitutes Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim "Kahraba." The latter dribbled past a Mazembe defender and shot the ball, which deflected off the goalkeeper and went for a corner.
Forward Joel Beya nearly scored against Shobeir with a header from a corner that went past the right post (89). Later on, Tunisian Esperance will meet Mamelodi Sundowns at the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades for the second semi-final first leg.
