Percy Tau was back among the goals as Al Ahly boosted their hopes of reaching the CAF Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Al Merrikh on Friday night.
CAF Champions League
Result: Al Merreikh 1-3 Al Ahly
Date: 18 March 2022
Venue: WE Al-Ahly Stadium
Mohamed Hany, Amr Al-Sulaya and Hussein El Shahat were handed a recall by Red Devils coach Pitso Mosimane following the loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.
Mosimane's men made a patient start and took the lead before the midway stage of the first half when a snap clearance in the area saw Tau take aim and fire home.
Ahly should've been two goals to the good through full-back Ali Maaloul following a run into the area a little later, but he was thwarted by Merrikh's Monged Abuzaid.
The reigning champions made a strong start to the second period and threatened to bag a second goal through a teasing strike from a tight angle by Mohamed Magdy Afsha.
Merrikh began to find confidence after a tough spell and could've levelled matters from a first-time effort in the area by Tony Edjomariegwe, but his crashed against the woodwork.
The host stayed tight and got their reward on 60 minutes courtesy of a low snap finish in the area by Ramadan Agab following sloppy bit of defending from Ahly.
Ahmed Abdel Kader, who started against Sundowns last week, was called from the bench by Ahly three minutes later in the place of El Shahat.
It took the Egyptians only nine minutes to restore their lead when Mohamed Sherif pounced on a low square ball into the area to slot home.
Merrikh conceded again inside a minute after substitute Kader made a darting run towards the near side of the area to slot into the bottom corner to seal maximum points for the defending champions.
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