CAF Champions League result: Al Ahly back on track with tough win over Al-Merrikh

Al Ahly returned to winning ways in the CAF Champions League with a tough 3-2 victory over Sudan’s Al-Merrikh in matchday three of the group stages on Saturday.

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The Reds entered the game in third place with just one point from their opening two matches.

Pitso Mosimane’s men needed less than three minute to take the lead through Mohamed Sherif who beat Al-Merrikh’s ‘keeper from inside the box after he was sent through on goal by Percy Tau.

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Al Ahly maintained their dominance of the match and added their second in the 33rd minute after another goal from Mohamed Sherif, who this time scored from close range following an excellent solo run from Ahmed Abdelkader.

Just when everything seemed to be going well for the hosts, Al-Merrikh pulled one back in the 43rd minute when Tony Edjomariegwe drilled in Ramadan Ajab’s low cross.

In the second half Al-Merrikh punished Al Ahly for their wastefulness of earlier chances and grabbed the equaliser in the 70th minute when Elsamani Saadeldin beat Mohammed El-Shennawy from close range.

Four minutes is all the time Al Ahly needed to get their lead back as Amr El-Sulya’s cross was turned into net by Mostafa Karshoum.

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Al Ahly controlled the games in the closing stages to secure their first victory in the group stages and their 200th in all African competitions.

The defending CAF Champions League champions now sit second in their group with four points, three behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, while Al-Merrikh dropped to third with the same number of points as Al Ahly.

Al Ahly will next be in action in the Egyptian Premier League against log leaders Pyramids on Tuesday, 8 March (20:00).

They will then head for South Africa for the blockbuster CAF Champions League clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, with that match scheduled for Saturday, 12 March at the FNB Stadium at 15:00 – both of which were exclusively confirmed by The South African website.