How Al Ahly Edged Eagle Noir With 10 Men to Seal UCL Group Stage Spot? | OneFootball

Omar Kamal’s strike seals Red Devils' safe passage with 2-0 aggregate victory

How Al Ahly Edged Eagle Noir With 10 Men to Seal UCL Group Stage Spot?

Al Ahly SC have officially booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stage after edging Eagle Noir FC of Burundi 1-0 in the return leg of 2nd preliminary round at the Cairo International Stadium.

The record 11-time African champions progress 2-0 on aggregate following their first leg win in Bujumbura by the same scoreline.

The Match

Coach Jes Thorup’s side started brightly pressing high and dictating play despite an early setback when Slovenian forward Nejc Gradisar was sent off in the 16 minute for off the ball incident leaving Al Ahly to play over 70 minute with 10 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Red Devils controlled the tempo through midfielders Aliou Dieng & Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane while Taher Mohamed & Ahmed Abdelkader provided width and pace.

The breakthrough came in the 58 minute , a perfectly weighted through ball from Ben Romdhane released Omar Kamal Abdelwahed who calmly slotted the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 1-0.

Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir preserved the clean sheet with fine save late on denying Eagle Noir’s best chance in the 90 minute.

Tactical & Mental Edge

Even with 10 men Al Ahly showed composure and experience , hallmarks of side chasing 13th CAF Champions League crown. Thorup’s adjustments at halftime introducing Mohamed Hany & Mahmoud Trezeguet solidified both flanks and kept the visitors at bay.

What’s Next?

Al Ahly now await Champions League group stage draw scheduled for 3 November where they’ll learn their opponents in pursuit of another continental title.