Al Ahly Hammer USGN 6-1 In the CAF Champions League

Holders Ahly reached the African Champions League group stage for a seventh straight season after hammering Niger’s US Gendarmerie Nationale (USGN) 6-1 in Cairo for a 7-2 aggregate victory on Saturday.

Al Ahly who were held to a surprise 1-1 draw in Niamey in the first leg of the competition’s second preliminary round, looked to be cruising to an easy win after early goals from striker Mohamed Sherif and playmaker Magdi Afsha put them 2-0 up.

However, they were given a brief scare when Issoufou Hinsa narrowed the gap 10 minutes before halftime as USGN at times looked dangerous on the break.

But Ahly ran riot in the second half to stamp their authority, with goals from Afsha, Mahmoud Kahraba, Hussein El-Shahat and Hamdi Fathi giving them a comprehensive victory.

The Red Devils joined Cairo rivals Zamalek in the group stage as they eye a third consecutive Champions League title and a record-extending 11th crown.

Zamalek secured passage with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Kenya’s Tusker on Friday.