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Egyptian giant Al Ahly secured a huge lead over Wydad Casablanca in the semi-final of the African Champions League on Saturday with a 2-0 win in the first leg in Morocco.
Ahly surprised the hosts with a goal in the fourth minute in Casablanca when Magdy Afsha lunged on a defensive slip to put her team ahead.
Wydad missed a good chance to equalize when they were awarded a penalty just before half-time, only for a tame shot from Badie Aouk to be blocked by Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy.
The visitors then doubled their lead in the second half with experienced Tunisian international Ali Maaloul scoring from the penalty spot.
Ahly, who has won the title eight times, is now in a strong position to reach the final heading into the second leg in Egypt next weekend.
This was the first big test for Ahly’s new coach, Pitso Mosimane, after two wins and a draw in the Egyptian Premier League since he replaced Swiss Rene Weiler at the helm.
The first leg of the other semi-final will also be played in Casablanca on Sunday night between newly crowned Moroccan champions Raja Casablanca and Zamalek of Egypt.
The semi-finals mark a return to continental club soccer competition in Africa for the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown.
On Friday, the African Football Confederation (Caf) said a draw had been held in which Egypt had won the right to host the final if it had a team from Morocco and a team from Egypt.
