[ad_1]
Johannesburg (AFP) – South African Percy Tau scored two objectives and created two as CAF Champions League title-holders Al Ahly of Egypt thumped 10-man Entente Setif of Algeria 4-0 on Saturday of their semi-final first leg.
Tau opened and accomplished the scoring in Cairo, whereas Taher Mohamed and Mohamed Sherif additionally netted as 10-time champions Ahly took benefit of Setif having Amir Karaoui despatched off when trailing 1-0 on 35 minutes.
If Ahly qualify for the ultimate after the return match in Algiers subsequent Saturday, they may probably face Wydad Casablanca in a repeat of the 2017 title decider received by the Moroccan outfit.
In Angola, rival captains Tiago Azulao of Petro Luanda and Yahya Jabrane of Wydad scored because the guests took a big step in the direction of reaching a fifth closing by beating the shock qualifiers 3-1.
Looking for a report third consecutive Champions League title, Ahly had a purpose appropriately dominated offside and rattled the woodwork twice earlier than Tau struck on half-hour on the Al Salam Stadium.
Mohamed crossed and Tau nodded previous goalkeeper Sofiane Khedairia, whose sensible saves had enabled Setif to shock Esperance of Tunisia within the quarter-finals final month.
A highly-charged north African showdown boiled over when Karaoui stamped on the foot of Hussein el Shahat and the referee modified an preliminary yellow card to pink after viewing the foul on the VAR monitor.
Regardless of being deprived numerically, Setif ought to have levelled as half-time approached, however unmarked Hicham Belkaroui fluffed an opportunity on the far publish after a free-kick landed favourably for him.
– Sub Sherif strikes –
Ahly took command within the second half to attain at common intervals and turn into solely the third membership after Nigerian membership Heartland and Zamalek of Egypt to win a semi-final first leg by 4 objectives.
A superb Tau flip and cross allowed Mohamed to double the lead and substitute Sherif was on the pitch simply 4 minutes when he chipped the ball over Khedairia after being arrange by the South African.
Tau accomplished the scoring within the closing minute of normal time, tapping a low Mohamed Hany cross into the online from shut vary.
Earlier, Brazilian Azulao scored an personal purpose 16 minutes in a primary leg watched by a near-capacity crowd on the 50,000-seat Estadio 11 de Novembro.
After dominating first-half possession with out having a single shot on the right track, the hosts suffered a serious blow on 45 minutes when Jabrane doubled the lead with a fierce shot.
Petro have been foiled by the woodwork early within the second half earlier than Congo Brazzaville worldwide Man Mbenza put 1992 and 2017 champions Wydad three objectives forward on 68 minutes.
Veteran Petro midfielder Job got here off the bench rather than Brazilian Gleison Moreira and claimed a comfort purpose direct from a free-kick with 9 minutes remaining.
To progress, Petro must rating at the least three objectives within the second leg this Friday in Casablanca, the place they have been crushed 5-1 by Wydad in a gaggle match final month.
And historical past is towards Petro, as not one of the 9 golf equipment who beforehand misplaced at residence within the first leg of a Champions League semi-final managed to beat the combination deficit.
Petro will journey to Morocco with out Brazilian midfield enforcer William Soares, who was red-carded in added time after being cautioned twice.
[ad_2]
Source link
