Ahmed Samir Farag scored twice as Ismaili avoided another Egyptian upset on Saturday after defeating Reunion Island’s US Tamponnaise 3-1 at home in the first leg of the Champions League round of 32.
Ismaili’s early pressure paid dividends when left wing-back Farag opened the scoring after 17 minutes.
Tamponnaise’s Moroccan forward Mohamed El Magadarhi leveled the score on 33 minutes to stun the home crowd.
Ismaili wasted a host of clear-cut opportunities until striker Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Greisha, who could have shouldered the blame for a possible stumble, made amends in the 71st minute to restore the hosts’ advantage.
