Defending champions Al Ahly advanced to yet another CAF Champions League final after defeating TP Mazembe 3-0 on Friday night.
CAF Champions League
Result: Al Ahly 3-0 TP Mazembe (3-0 aggregate)
Date: 26 April 2024
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
South African international Percy Tau was back in the starting line-up for the defending African champions after coming on as a substitute in the second half against Mazembe last weekend.
The two sides were evenly poised at 0-0 after the goalless first-leg, but the Egyptians would be more attacking as the home side after their laid back approach six days ago.
That was the plan for the home side, who looked lively early on as Amr El Soleya had a couple attempts saved in the opening 15 minutes, while Ahmed Abdelkader was also denied by a fine save from Aliou Faty.
It was one-way traffic for most of the period as Faty was undoubtedly the busier of the two goalkeepers, having been called upon to keep out a fine header from Rami Rabia ten minutes before the break.
The visitors thought they had broken the deadlock on 58 minutes when Joel Beya fired home from close range, but celebratins were cut short as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled out the goal for a handball.
Ten minutes later, the home side got the breakthrough in the 68th minute as Mohamed Abdelmonem rose above his marker to head home a corner from Ali Maâloul for the first goal in the tie as well.
Mazembe responded with a triple change soon after, as Patient Mwamba, Fily Traore and Augustine Oladapo were introduced in place of Boaz Ngalamulume, Oscar Tshikomb and Glody Likonza.
However, Marcel Koller's charges went on to bag a second goal with three minutes to play as Wessam Abou Ali got his name on the score-sheet by turning home Maaloul's inviting cross.
Al Ahly made the game safe in second-half stoppage time as Akram Tawfik got the third goal of the night with a close-range finish to seal a good win and a spot in the final.
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