In the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, Al Ahly took a 2-1 victory over Wydad Athletic Club at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night.
Percy Tau and Mahmoud Kahraba found the net with assists from Hussein Elshahat in each half, putting Al Ahly in a strong position to secure their 11th Champions League title.
However, Wydad gave themselves hope with an away goal when substitute Said Eddine Bouhra scored in the 86th minute, keeping the tie within reach for the second leg.
The match was an entertaining battle, and Al Ahly took the lead just before halftime with Tau’s powerful header. Elshahat showed determination to reach an overhit pass from Hamdy Fathy on the byline, delivering a cross that found Tau unmarked at the far post.
Before the goal, Al Ahly had several chances to score with 75% possession in the first half. Kahraba had a low shot saved by the keeper in the 18th minute, and a penalty decision was overturned by VAR in the 30th minute after a handball incident.
Wydad came close to breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute, but Mostafa Shoubir made a brilliant save to deny Reda Jaadi’s volley.
The second half started with a fast pace, and Kahraba had two consecutive shots saved by the keeper seven minutes after the restart. On the other end, Aymane El Hassouni’s curling effort missed the target narrowly.
Al Ahly’s persistence paid off as Kahraba smashed home their second goal in the 60th minute, capitalizing on Elshahat’s assist from a long ball by Mohamed Hany.
Despite trailing 2-0, Wydad continued to fight and hit the base of the upright in the 68th minute with a volley from Yahya Attiat Allah. In the 79th minute, Shoubir made another outstanding save, parrying Ayoub El Amloud’s shot.
Wydad’s determination paid off in the 86th minute when Bouhra, who had just come on as a substitute, fired a powerful shot into the net after Sambou redirected an Amloud cut-back.
Al Ahly made efforts to restore their two-goal lead and came close with Tau’s long-range shot, but it did not result in a goal.
The home side held on to the victory and will now travel to Casablanca for the second leg, aiming to avoid defeat and secure their 11th title. Wydad will need at least a 1-0 victory to retain their crown, and if Al Ahly score, Wydad will have to score three more goals to secure victory.
