JOHANNESBURG: African Champions League finalists Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon and Al-Ahly of Egypt warmed up for the first leg with victories on Sunday.
Cotonsport retained the Cameroon Cup by defeating Aigle Dschang 4-2 in Yaounde while Ahly climbed to sixth in the Egyptian title race after a 2-1 triumph over Al-Ittihad 2-1 in Alexandria.
Ahly, who have played three games less than domestic rivals due to African commitments, led 2-0 soon after half-time through goals from midfield star Mohamed Abou-Trika and striker Osama Hosny.
Captain and defender Shady Mohamed conceded a 67th-minute own goal after a cross eluded goalkeeper Amir Abdel-Hamid to bring mid-table Ittihad back into contention but the Cairo Red Devils survived without much discomfort.
In Cameroon, Garoua lifted the cup for the fourth time in five seasons thanks to goals from Henri Minka, Jacques Zoua, Baba Ousmaila and Daouda Kamilou, whose 80th-minute effort put the match beyond the reach of underdogs Aigle.
Trailing 3-0 midway through the second half at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in the capital of the central African nation, Dschang stormed back into contention when Ghislain Sotejouong and Julien Wandji scored within seven minutes.
Seeking a record sixth African title, Ahly host Cotonsport at the Cairo Stadium next Sunday in the first leg of a final worth $1 million to the winners and the return match is scheduled for November 16 in Garoua. -AFP
