The opening matches of the group phase of the CAF-MTN Champions League last weekend were marked by home wins. Five-time African champions, Al-Ahly, Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe, debutants Cotonsport of Cameroon and Sudanese champions Al-Hilal emerged victors on the with slim margin results.
Ahly were the biggest winners after managing a 2-1 victory over archrivals Zamalek in the Egyptian derby played at the Cairo International Stadium last Sunday in a Group A clash.
The victory, Ahly’s 52nd against their bitterest rivals in all competitions saw them confirm their dominance over Zamalek, also five-time winners of Africa’s elite club competition.
Angolan striker Flavio Amado opened the scores for the “Red Devils” after connecting home a cross from compatriot Gilberto Sebastio in the 28th minute that sent the packed stadium ablaze.
Zamalek, who resumed strongly after disappointing first half drew level two minutes after the hour mark through midfielder Gamal Hamza with a perfect strike from the edge of the Ahly defence that left goalkeeper Amir Abdelhamid with no answers.
The introduction of Mohamed Barakat by Ahly coach Jose Manuel proved pivotal as Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan slammed home the winner five minutes later with a spectacular shot from a free-kick.
In the other Group A match, played in Harare, Dynamos launched their campaign with a 2-1 win over ASEC Mimosas in a repeat of the 1998 final clash.
Dynamos who lost the earlier meeting a decade ago 4-2 was gifted with a sweet revenge thanks to striker Edward Sadomba’s brace.
Sadomba, the hero of the Zimbabwean champions who were cheered on by a packed crowd broke the deadlock in the fourth minute by slotting home from close range before Jean-Paul Mangoua Kesse equalized for ASEC ten minutes to half time.
In the 73rd minute, Sadomba slammed home the winner with a cheeky strike after being through by a colleague.
The results put Ahly and Dynamos on top of the group on three points apiece with Zamalek and ASEC following in that order pointless.
In Group B, debutants Cotonsport began their campaign with a lone goal victory over T.P Mazembe on Saturday in Garoua.
Striker Kamilou Daouda strike in added on time was enough for the Cameroonian champions.
Elsewhere in Khartoum on Friday, Al-Hilal of Sudan snatched a 3-2 win over two-time winners Enyimba of Nigeria in a closely contested game.
Nigeria-born substitute Ifeanyi Onigbo headed the winner a minute from full-time after capitalizing on a blunder by Enyimba goalkeeper Sani Ualiru.
Enyimba, who finished the game ten men after Okey Odita was given the axe in the 62nd minute scored first through Cletus Itodo before veteran Haitham Mustafa leveled up from the spot on 41 minute.
Nigeria-born midfielder Yusuf Mohamed put Hilal in the lead a minute from recess after his long range effort beat goalkeeper Sani Ualiru before leading striker Stephen Worgu made it two-all in the 85th minute.
The day two matches have been scheduled for August 1-3.
Results
Al Ahly 2-1 Zamalek
Dynamos 2-1 ASEC
Cotonsport 1-0 T.P Mazembe
Al-Hilal 3-2 Enyimba
Source : cafonline.com
