Hossam Ashour struck after 36 seconds to give Ahli a narrow and unconvincing 1-0 victory over Gaish in their second Egyptian Premier League game on Friday.
The defensive midfielder scored a rare goal with a right-footed shot to hand Ahli their first league win this season after they were held to a goalless draw by Police Union in their opener.
Ahli, despite a star-studded line-up, once again failed to play to their potential but at least they managed to secure a morale-boosting win following their African disappointment.
The Red Devils lost 1-0 at Algerian side JS Kabylie in an ill-tempered Champions League clash last Sunday.
They are level on four points with arch-rivals Zamalek and newly-promoted side MCDR after two league games. Gaish have no points after suffering two consecutive defeats.
Ismaili and Military Production are the only teams who bagged maximum six points.
