Egyptian powerhouse Ahly surged closer to their record 12th CAF Champions League title, dominating DR Congo’s TP Mazembe with a resounding 3-0 triumph in the semi-final clash on Friday.
Second-half goals courtesy of Mohamed Abdel-Moneim, Wessam Abou Ali, and Akram Tawfik sealed a comfortable victory at Cairo International Stadium, catapulting the Red Devils to their fifth consecutive Champions League final and 17th overall.
In this feat, they became the sole team to reach the final game five times in a row, breaking TP Mazembe’s previous record set between 1967 and 1970. Additionally, the 11-time African Champions extended their unbeaten streak in the Champions League to 20 games, matching the record established by Esperance.
Ahly asserted their dominance from the onset, aiming for an early advantage to calm their nerves. Despite the visitors’ staunch defense and swift counter-attacks, the hosts maintained control, ultimately dictating the tempo of the game.
In the first half, Ahly’s closest opportunity came from Amr El Sulaya, whose initial shot was saved by Mazembe goalkeeper Aliou Faty, with his follow-up cleared off the line. Ahmed Abdel-Kader also threatened with a header, which Faty tipped away for a corner.
Mazembe seldom posed a threat, with their only notable chance falling to Ibrahima Keita, whose shot was blocked by Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
The second half mirrored the first, with Ahly maintaining dominance. Despite the visitors’ belief they had taken the lead through Joël Beya’s header, it was rightfully disallowed for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Shortly after, Marcel Koller brought on Emam Ashour from injury to reinforce the midfield. The substitution proved effective as Ahly broke the deadlock on the hour mark. Mohamed Abdel-Moneim met Ali Maaloul’s cross with a powerful header into the net.
This opened the floodgates, with Ahly netting two more in rapid succession. Wessam Abou Ali extended the lead with a precise finish from another Maaloul delivery, before Akram Tawfik sealed the scoring in stoppage time, converting Emam Ashour’s cross.
Ahly will now clash with Tunisia’s Esperance in the final, who secured victory over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-0 aggregate score.
