Egyptians giants Al Ahly have got the defence of their CAF Champions League title off to the best possible start with victory away from home in their first round, 1st leg.
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In the continued absence of Covid-19-stricken coach Pitso Mosimane, assistant manager Cavin Johnson once again assumed the reins as the Al Ahly travelled to Niger to play AS SONIDEP.
Al Ahly got the job done on the day, recording a narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a 33rd-minute goal from Mali international Aliou Dieng.
Following the match, Johnson said the poor quality of the pitch made it difficult for his side to hit their stride, but added that he was pleased to have come away with an important away win.
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“AS SONIDEP is a good team and has a lot of quality players, and they wanted to achieve a good result against us today, but we took care of this,” Johnson told Al Ahly’s official website.
“We are the defending champions and all the teams want to be on their best performance against us. We could not show a better performance due to the bad quality of the pitch, but our preparations will be different for the second leg. However, we succeeded to clinch an important win in Niger.
“We gave chances to several players during today’s game according to the instructions our head coach Pitso Mosimane, who played an important role in today’s victory. Lastly, I would like to thank our fans on their constant support as they deserve to celebrate the team’s victories.”
AL AHLY BEAT ZAMALEK IN LAST SEASON’S FINAL
The return leg will take place on Wednesday, January 6 at a venue and kick-off time yet to be confirmed.
Al Ahly beat fellow Egyptian giants Zamalek in last season’s Covid-19 delayed CAF Champions League final in Cairo.
The victory was Al Alhy’s record-extending ninth African victory.
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Collated CAF Champions League last 32 first leg results:
Stade Malien (MLI) 1 (Coulibaly 58) Wydad Casablanca (MAR) 0
Teungueth (SEN) 0 Raja Casablanca (MAR) 0
Racing Club Abidjan (CIV) 1 (Ballo 61) Horoya (GUI) 1 (Nikiema 36-pen)
AS Sonidep (NIG) 0 Al Ahly (EGY) 1 (Dieng 33)
Al Ahly Benghazi (LBA) 0 Esperance (TUN) 0
Bouenguidi (GAB) 1 (Bayhano 18) TP Mazembe (COD) 2 (Ulimwengu 28, 64)
Jwaneng Galaxy (BOT) 0 Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) 2 (Mvala 10, Shalulile 46)
Young Buffaloes (ESW) 2 (Dlamini 44, Matsebula 46) V Club (COD) 2 (Mayele 86, Tulengi 89-pen)
Kaizer Chiefs (RSA) 0 Primeiro Agosto (ANG) 0
Al Merrikh (SUD) 3 (Bakhit 6, 44, 90) Enyimba (NGR) 0
Asante Kotoko (GHA) 0 Al Hilal (SUD) 1 (Bongonga 76)
Nkana (ZAM) 1 (Chisala 58) Petro Atletico (ANG) 1 (Yano 90)
Platinum (ZIM) 1 (Chikwende 17) Simba (TAN) 0
Gazelle (CHA) v Zamalek (EGY) – Gazelle did not travel to Egypt after conceding home advantage
Playing on Saturday
CR Belouizdad (ALG) v Gor Mahia (KEN)
Playing on Monday
Mouloudia Alger (ALG) v CS Sfaxien (TUN)
Second legs: January 5-6
Note: Winners qualify for group stage and losers enter CAF Confederation Cup playoffs.
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