CAIRO: ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast twice came from behind to hold Group A winners Al-Ahly of Egypt 2-2 in the African Champions League Sunday.
It was the first time Ahly failed to win at home in the competition this year although they maintained an average of two goals per game as they hunt a record sixth title.
The clash of two big names in African club football was rendered academic by a 1-0 victory for Dynamos of Zimbabwe over Zamalek of Egypt earlier in the day that secured the runners-up slot for the Harare club.
Ahly finished with 12 points from six matches while 1998 runners-up Dynamos secured nine, ASEC six and Zamalek only five after entering the Group A as favorites to accompany their Cairo rivals into the penultimate phase.
The Cairo Red Devils will face Enyimba of Nigeria in the semi-finals while Dynamos meet Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon in a pairing few neutrals would have predicted when the mini-leagues kicked off two months ago.
Midfield magician Mohamed Abou-Trika headed Ahly in front after five minutes at the Military Academy Stadium in the Egyptian capital only for Ladji Kone to equalize within 60 seconds as he latched on to a long pass.
Mahmoud Samir restored the lead with a soft 76th-minute goal for Ahly, who rested several key figures, only for ASEC to hit back again as Cyriac Gohi Bi beat goalkeeper Ahmed Moneim with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. -AFP
