Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly progressed to the round of 16 in the Egypt Cup after beating Al Nasr 2-1, with Walter Bwalya netting a late winner on Wednesday evening.
Mosimane made wholesale changes from the side that narrowly beat Simba in the last group game of the CAF Champions League, with Ramy Rabia the only survivor from that match in the line-up.
The Red Devils played three consecutive games in the CAF Champions League, where they qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up to Simba in Group A.
As a result, the hosts have seven games in hand in the league currently lying in fourth place, just six points behind rivals Zamalek, who have four games in hand.
Al Ahly came to game on a run of six games unbeaten in all competitions, with their last loss coming away to the Tanzanian side in the Champions League.
With the match almost heading to the break goalless, Walid Soliman broke the deadlock for the Red Devils in first-half stoppage time with a half-volley, 1-0.
However, Al Ahly were pegged back nine minutes inside the second stanza after Ahmed El Saidy levelled matters for the visitors.
However, Bwalya snatched the winner for the Red Devils in the last seven minutes with a strike from close range, Mosimane's men held on to progress to the round of 16.
Al Ahly will resume league duties in a derby clash against Zamalek on Saturday, after which they will visit Smouha three days later, as they play catch-up in the Egyptian Premier League.
Check out the top 20 of CAF's 21st century club rankings, including Al Ahly, below:
