Egyptian Powerhouse Ahly Advances to African Football League Semi-Finals, Despite Home Draw with Tanzania’s Simba.
The Cairo Giants Secure Semifinal Spot on Away Goals: Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel-Moneim Shines”
Ahly earned their place in the semifinals thanks to the away goal rule, following a thrilling 2-2 draw on Friday. Mahmoud “Kahraba” Abdel-Moneim, showing his prowess, found the net in the 76th minute, equalizing Sadio Kanoute’s opener just 8 minutes earlier.
Now, Ahly sets their sights on the Sundowns vs. Petro Atletico match, as they prepare to face the victor in a decisive clash on Sunday. Notably, Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel-Moneim redeemed himself with his crucial equalizing goal in the 76th minute, securing a valuable draw for his team.
The Red Devils Launch an Aggressive Start but Miss Scoring Chances
Ahly began the game with a burst of energy, applying pressure and seeking an early goal while their opponents adopted a defensive stance.
Kahraba, Mohamed “Afsha” Magdi, and Hussein El Shahat had numerous opportunities to score but failed to capitalize on them.
In the 24th minute, Ahly believed they had taken the lead when Kahraba, receiving a cross from Percy Tau, netted the ball with his left foot. However, their celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
Simba had their first scoring opportunity in the first half when Denis Kibu received a pass from John Bocco, but goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy swiftly came off his line to thwart the threat.
The Second Half Reversal: Simba Stuns Hosts with Equalizer Before Ahly Secures Victory
The dynamics of the game shifted during the second half as Simba managed to turn their fortunes around. They surprised the hosts by netting a goal in the 68th minute when Kanoute found the back of the net following a header by Clatous Chama from a cross delivered by defender Shomari Kapombe.
Kahraba, however, swiftly restored parity just eight minutes later with a close-range finish, capitalizing on a cut-back pass from Ali Maaloul.
In the remaining minutes, Ahly’s defense held strong, successfully thwarting Simba’s attacks and securing their passage to the next round.
