Egypt’s Ahly claimed a vital 2-0 away win at Rwanda’s APR to put one foot in the Champions League round of 16 on Saturday.
Two second-half goals from veteran striker Emad Meteb and winger Walid Soliman ensured Ahly’s supremacy ahead of the return leg in Cairo, which takes place on 3/4/5 April.
The hosts were largely the dominant side in the first half, but the most dangerous chance was created by Ahly on the stroke of halftime.
New signing Peter Ebimobowei, who started the game, was released by Moemen Zakareya to break clear, before rounding the keeper and seeing his ball go out for a goal kick.
The second half was livelier, with both sides posing real danger on goal unlike the first period.
Minnows APR managed to threaten the eight-time African champions’ goal, having narrowly missed the target on one occasion before keeper Sherif Ekramy thwarted them on another.
Ahly, however, had the final say in the match, and it was international striker Meteb who gave them the lead through a left-footed strike following an assist by substitute Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ in the 65th minute.
Trezeguet could have also set up attacking midfielder Abdallah El-Saied with Ahly’s second goal, but the home side’s defence cleared the danger.
Soliman then wrapped up Ahly’s win six minutes from time after rounding off a series of intricate passes as the Red Devils came within a touching distance of reaching the round of 16.
