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Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy gave the Egyptian team a lead in the fourth minute and Ali Maaloul increased it by converting a penalty in the second half after the Moroccan team missed a penalty.
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane raises his thumb after his team Wydad Casablanca won the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinals on October 17, 2020. Image: @ AlAhlyEnglish / Twitter
JOHANNESBURG – South African coach Pitso Mosimane finally achieved an away win over his ghost club Wydad Casablanca when Al Ahly won the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-finals 2-0 on Saturday.
Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy gave the Egyptian team a lead in the fourth minute and Ali Maaloul increased it by converting a penalty in the second half after the Moroccan team missed a penalty.
The result practically assures the eight-time champion of Africa Ahly a place in the final on November 6 against the neighbors of Cairo, Zamalek or Raja Casablanca.
Raja host Zamalek on Sunday in the first leg of the second semi-final at the same stadium in Casablanca where Ahly triumphed more comfortably than expected.
It was Wydad’s first home loss in 27 Champions League matches, as Ahly took revenge for losing to the Moroccan team in the 2017 final.
Mosimane left Pretoria’s Mamelodi Sundowns club last month to become the 113-year-old Ahly’s first sub-Saharan African coach.
The move offered him a chance to end Wydad’s curse when he led the Sundowns to Casablanca four times in three Champions League seasons since 2017 and they lost each time.
The South African inherited the most demanding club coach position in Africa when Rene Weiler of Switzerland failed to reach an agreement to renew his one-year contract.
Mosimane succeeded in style when Ahly led the first leg and a sharper shot would have given them a more decisive victory in a match with no spectators due to the coronavirus.
‘SPECIAL VICTORY’
“This is a special victory for the players, the coaching staff, the officials, the employees and the supporters of Al Ahly,” the South African told AFP.
“We traveled to Morocco full of respect for Wydad because they have won this competition twice and rarely lose at home, either in national or CAF competitions.
“Scoring so early was a perfect start for us and Mohamed (El Shena wy) did brilliantly to save a penalty.
“When we were awarded a penalty, I had a lot of faith in Ali (Maaloul) because he is very calm, confident and skilled when it comes to scoring from the penalty spot.
“Football is a fun game and we dare not take anything for granted despite this wonderful result. It is half-time in the semi-final and we have a two-goal lead.”
A blunder by Yahya Jabrane allowed ‘Afsha’ to put Ahly ahead and when the Moroccan drove, Maaloul scored from the penalty in the 62nd minute.
Wydad squandered an opportunity to equalize just before halftime when El Shenawy saved a Badie Aouk penalty, and also a follow-up shot when the ball was loosened.
Although Ahly have an unrivaled record in the Champions League, the Cairo Red Devils have not lifted the trophy since defeating the Orlando Pirates of South Africa in the 2013 final.
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