CAIRO: Al-Ahly of Egypt stayed on track for a record sixth African Champions League title after a tense 1-0 victory over Enyimba of Nigeria Saturday.
Supporters of the “Red Devils endured some anxious moments at the Cairo Stadium as an equalizer would have taken the “Peoples Elephant into the final on the away-goal rule after the first leg of the semi-final ended goalless.
Ahly will host the first leg of the decider in two weeks against Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon, who trounced Dynamos of Zimbabwe 4-0 in central Africa a few hours earlier having taken a one-goal lead into the match.
The decisive Ahly goal was created and executed by Angolans with Flavio Amado powering a glancing near-post header between an Enyimba defender and goalkeeper Sani Haliru off a corner from Felisberto “Gilberto Amaral.
Ahly share the record of five titles with fierce domestic and international rivals Zamalek, who were eliminated last month in the group stage of the $3.5-million competition.
Had the Red Devil failed they would have cursed the Ugandan assistant referee who disallowed a legitimate goal by midfielder Mohamed Barakat 14 minutes into the opening half.
Television replays confirmed Barakat was onside when he darted forward to collect a Mohamed Abou-Trika pass and beat Haliru from close range before a near-capacity crowd in the 70,000-seat Egyptian fortress.
Within 60 seconds the Nigerians were equally furious as teenage scoring sensation Stephen Worgu was clearly onside when a flag was raised by the other assistant referee.
Linked with a move to Ahly in the Nigerian and Egyptian media, leading African Champions League marksman Worgu was well contained by a Shady Mohamed-marshaled defense until midway through the second half.
Egyptian hearts then missed a few beats as the 13-goal striker burst between two defenders and his hard low shot eluded goalkeeper Amir Abdel-Hamid only to narrowly miss the target at the far post.
It was the closest Enyimba came to leveling as they sought a third appearance in the African Champions League showpiece, having won the title twice in succession during the 2003-2004 seasons.
Ahly created most of the clear-cut chances and defender Ahmed Al-Sayed will long wonder how he managed to completely miss a low cross on 34 minutes with an empty goal in front of him.
Enyimba had another close shave when Monday Osagie almost conceded an own goal with a wild interception of an Ahmed Seddik cross from the right wing, where Ahly profited from slack marking throughout the opening half. -AFP
