Al Ahly maintained their position at the top of Group B after earning a 1-1 draw against Young Africans in a closely contested encounter that saw both sides share the spoils on match-day 4 of the CAF Champions League.
The Tanzanian champions started brightly and created the early chances, putting Ahly under pressure in the opening stages. Allan Okello tested goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier, while Pacome Zouzoua also went close, but the Ahly shot stopper reacted well to keep his side level. In the 17th minute, Mahmoud Trezeguet Hassan tried his luck with an individual effort that narrowly missed the target, before Zouzoua was again denied by Shobier in a one on one situation midway through the first half.
Young Africans were rewarded for their persistence in first half stoppage time when Hamad Ibrahim capitalised on a deflected ball inside the penalty area and finished from close range to give his side a deserved lead going into the break.
Ahly emerged with more urgency after the restart and gradually took control of the contest. Their pressure paid off on the hour mark when Alio Dieng arrived to finish a well weighted assist from Trezeguet, restoring parity for the Cairo giants.
Following the equaliser, Ahly coach Jess Thorup made tactical changes, introducing Achraf Bencharki and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane in place of Taher Mohamed and Aliou Dieng as the visitors looked to push on for a winner. Young Africans responded with renewed attacking intent but were unable to break through an organised Ahly defence that stood firm in the closing stages.
The draw keeps Al Ahly top of Group B with eight points, three clear of Young Africans who sit second with five points. Morocco’s FAR Rabat and Algeria’s JS Kabylie both remain on two points. Ahly will face JS Kabylie on matchday five, while Young Africans travel to Morocco to take on FAR Rabat on 7 February.
