Sayed Moawad scored a memorable goal and Sherif Ekrami made superb shootout saves as Egyptian giants Al-Ahly clawed into the CAF Champions League last-16 at the weekend. A 1-0 home win over Tanzanians Young Africans left the first round qualifier deadlocked at 1-1 on aggregate in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
After six consecutive shootout kicks were converted, four in a row were fluffed, including the last mandatory penalty by Said Bahanunzi that would have given the visitors victory. Mohamed Naguib scored off the first sudden-death kick to nudge the defending champions 4-3 ahead and Ekrami saved from Mbuyu Twite to conclude the drama.
Ahly, seeking a record third consecutive title, were on the back foot after losing the first leg 1-0 in Dar es Salaam last weekend. They also had to find a last-minute temporary 'home' as Cairo authorities rejected plans to stage the match in the capital after recent clashes between Ahly supporters and police.
Although constantly on the defensive, Young Africans protected the slender aggregate advantage for 71 minutes at an eerie Max Stadium. Veteran wide midfielder Moawad then scored his first CAF club goal to nudge eight-time Champions League title-holders Ahly ahead. A hopeful shot ricocheted off a defender into the path of Moawad, whose low, left-foot volley flew across goalkeeper Deogratius Munishi and into the far corner.
Territorially dominant Ahly failed to pierce the Young Africans defence again, leading to post-match penalties, a nerve-racking ordeal where the steely Cairo Red Devils traditionally excel. Next up for Ahly will be namesakes Al-Ahly from Libyan city Benghazi, who overcame Ghanaians Berekum Chelsea 2-0 with Zimbabwean Edward Sadomba among the goals.
Forced to play home fixtures in neighbouring Tunisia because of security concerns, the Libyans made light of the disadvantage to take a 29th-minute lead through Ahmed Al-Zeoui. Nomadic Sadomba, who has also played in South Africa and Sudan, struck 10 minutes later to seal a 3-1 overall triumph. Democratic Republic of Congo outfit Vita edged Zimbabweans Dynamos 1-0 in Kinshasa with a late first-half Agiti Etekiama penalty proving the lone goal of the tie.